• Syrian army and Kurdish SDF forces are on opposing fronts as a ceasefire deadline looms.
• Syria denies reports of an extension to the ceasefire, insisting the deadline remains intact.
• US military actively transferring ISIS fighters from Syrian prisons amid the escalating situation.

As the ceasefire deadline approaches, tension escalates between Syrian troops and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northern Syria. Government forces have gained significant ground in recent weeks, taking control of vital territories, including oil fields and key infrastructures, prompting concerns of renewed conflict. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced a temporary ceasefire, giving the SDF until the deadline to integrate their forces into the Syrian military structure, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

However, Syria's Foreign Ministry has categorically denied claims that the ceasefire deadline has been extended, asserting that “there is no truth to what is being circulated regarding the extension of the deadline with the SDF.” The ministry announced a halt to military operations for four days following a ceasefire agreement that came after the Syrian Army's recent military successes, according to AA and Al Jazeera.

The situation remains precarious, as both sides are reportedly preparing for potential conflict; the Syrian military is reportedly mobilizing forces near key Kurdish-held areas. Meanwhile, recent reports indicate that the US military has been transferring hundreds of detained ISIS fighters from Syrian prisons to Iraq, heightening concerns over security risks in the region amidst the ongoing instability, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

The Kurdish authorities have expressed resistance to fully integrate with the Syrian state, which complicates the ceasefire's sustainability. The failure to adhere to previous agreements and the resumption of military operations by the Syrian government add to the volatility in the northeast region, as fears of sectarian violence linger in the background, according to AA, Reuters, and Al Jazeera.