A ceasefire holds in Syria but civilians live with fear and resentment

Fighting between Syria’s government and Kurdish forces has left civilians caught in a precarious situation, with many fearing for their future as the country navigates a fragile transition following years of civil war.

The recent clashes ended with government forces capturing most territory previously held by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northeastern Syria. A ceasefire is now in effect, with SDF fighters set to be integrated into Syria’s army and police forces, resolving months of tensions between the groups.

In Arab-majority areas like Raqqa and Deir el-Zour, residents have celebrated the SDF’s withdrawal, having long resented their governance. However, thousands of Kurdish residents fled these areas, fearing reprisals. According to the International Organization for Migration, more than 173,000 people have been displaced by the fighting.

Among those displaced is Subhi Hannan, who now sleeps in a cold schoolroom in SDF-controlled Qamishli with his family. This marks yet another displacement for Hannan, who previously fled his hometown of Afrin in 2018 during a Turkish-backed offensive. Five years later, he lost both legs after stepping on a landmine.

When insurgents ousted former President Bashar Assad in December 2024, Hannan’s family fled again, finding temporary refuge in Raqqa before being forced to move once more during this month’s fighting.

“I’m 42 years old and I’ve never seen something like this,” Hannan recounted, describing how government fighters stopped their convoy, arrested SDF escorts, and confiscated their belongings. “I have two amputated legs, and they were hitting me. I just want security and stability, whether it’s here or somewhere else.”

Syria’s defense ministry has acknowledged “violations of established laws and disciplinary regulations” by its forces during the offensive and claims to be pursuing legal action against those responsible.

The violence in this conflict appears less severe than in previous clashes. Last year’s fighting in Syria’s coastal regions and Sweida province resulted in hundreds of civilian deaths from revenge attacks, many perpetrated by government-affiliated fighters. In the current situation, government forces established “humanitarian corridors” in several areas to allow Kurdish and other civilians to flee safely.

One key provision of the ceasefire stipulates that government forces should not enter Kurdish-majority cities and towns. Nevertheless, residents in Kurdish enclaves remain anxious about their future.

Kobani, a Kurdish city now surrounded by government-controlled territory, has been effectively under siege, with residents reporting utility outages and shortages of essential supplies. A United Nations aid convoy only reached the enclave for the first time on Sunday.

In SDF-controlled Qamishli, civilians have taken up arms and formed voluntary patrols to guard against potential attacks. “We left and closed our businesses to defend our people and city,” said Suheil Ali, a volunteer. “Because we saw what happened in the coast and in Sweida and we don’t want that to be repeated here.”

On the other side of the frontline in Raqqa, Arab families gathered outside al-Aqtan prison and the local courthouse, hoping for the release of relatives detained by the SDF. Many believe Arabs were unfairly targeted and imprisoned on dubious charges during SDF rule. At least 126 boys under 18 were released from the prison after government forces took control.

Issa Mayouf, waiting for news about his 18-year-old son who was arrested four months ago, expressed his frustration with SDF governance. “SDF was a failure as a government,” Mayouf said. “And there were no services. Look at the streets, the infrastructure, the education. It was all zero.”

The region contains some of Syria’s most valuable resources, including oil and gas reserves and fertile agricultural land. Mayouf complained that the SDF “had all the wealth of the country and they did nothing with it for the country.”

Mona Yacoubian, director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, notes that Kurdish civilians in besieged areas fear potential atrocities by government forces or allied groups. Meanwhile, Arabs from formerly SDF-controlled territories harbor “deep fears and resentment toward the Kurds based on accusations of discrimination, intimidation, forced recruitment and even torture while imprisoned.”

“The experience of both sides underscores the deep distrust and resentment across Syria’s diverse society that threatens to derail the country’s transition,” Yacoubian explained.

The challenge now falls to interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa’s government to balance demonstrating authority while allowing the country’s anxious minority groups to have a voice in shaping their collective future.