Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander Mazloum Abdi (left) and Syrian President Ahmad al Sharaa (right) sign a ceasefire agreement on January 27. (@SarwanBarzani_on X)Despite a US-mediated ceasefire, clashes continued between Syrian government forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northeastern Syria. However, tensions on the ground continue to rise, especially as Syrian government forces continue to press into Kurdish-majority areas in scattered fighting. Damascus is rushing reinforcements toward frontlines bordering Kurdish-majority areas, while the SDF is entrenching itself to defend what remains of its territory. Second, violence against Kurdish-majority areas may intensify, given the Syrian government’s documented record of treating minority populations.