Damascus/Hasakah: The Syrian conflict has taken a volatile turn on January 20, 2026, as government forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad have launched an operation to enter the contested city of Hasakah. This aggressive maneuver is being widely interpreted as a severe breach of the existing ceasefire, pushing the region back to the brink of open warfare.
Reports from the ground indicate that heavy military vehicles and troop transports belonging to the Syrian Army have entered key districts in Hasakah. The city, which serves as a strategic hub in the country’s northeast, has maintained a delicate balance of power between the government and Kurdish-led forces for years. By disrupting this status quo, the government forces have effectively nullified the security guarantees that were holding the truce together.
“The ceasefire is under duress,” sources told Al Jazeera, highlighting that the engagement rules have been violated. The primary concern now is for the safety of civilians trapped in the city. Hasakah is densely populated, and any outbreak of urban combat would likely result in significant casualties and a fresh wave of refugees heading toward the Turkish or Iraqi borders.
International observers have condemned the escalation, warning that a collapse of the ceasefire in the northeast could destabilize the entire country again. As of this evening, there are reports of sporadic gunfire, though a full-scale counter-offensive has not yet materialized. The situation remains fluid and highly dangerous.
