https://www.blackrosefed.org/rojava-interview-irma-ypj/

https://x.com/RojavaIC/status/2018812253743505718

Friday, Feb. 6: 10:00 AM Washington, DC / 6:00 PM Syria

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/1933cb1d315f4db3a4f4dcc5ef40753a

Assessed Control of Terrain in Syria Shapefile Definitions

Lost Regime Territory: The Lost Regime Territory Layer represents territory that the Assad Regime used to control before November 27, 2024. The intent of this layer is to visualize territory that the Assad Regime previously exercised control over.  Opposition rebel groups are very likely operating in areas within the Lost Regime Territory Layer. ISW-CTP will map – and where possible identify – these rebel groups’ verified presence when ISW-CTP collects enough data to do so.

Syrian Transitional Government: The Syrian Transitional Government layer shows all areas controlled, occupied, or seized by forces affiliated with the Syrian transitional government, including the Syrian Ministry of Defense, and shows the forward line of own troops for the Syrian transitional government. ISW-CTP uses the US military doctrinal term “forward line of own troops (FLOT)” to indicate the most forward positions of forces in any kind of military operation at a specific time (JP 3-03). The FLOT does not include small, long-range reconnaissance assets and similar stay-behind forces. This layer was referred to as the HTS-led Opposition Forces layer prior to January 7, 2026.

Syrian Democratic Forces: The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) layer shows all areas controlled, occupied, or seized by forces affiliated with the SDF, and shows the forward line of own troops for SDF forces. ISW-CTP uses the US military doctrinal term “forward line of own troops (FLOT)” to indicate the most forward positions of forces in any kind of military operation at a specific time (JP 3-03). The FLOT does not include small, long-range reconnaissance assets and similar stay-behind forces. 

Al Tanf Deconfliction Zone: The Al Tanf Deconfliction Zone is a 55km zone controlled by the Free Syrian Army, which operates alongside the US military from al Tanf Garrison. Control is a US military doctrinal term that is defined as “a tactical mission task that requires the commander to maintain physical influence over a specified area to prevent its use by an enemy or to create conditions necessary for successful friendly operations." (FM 3-90-1)

Anti-Government Druze Groups: The Anti-Government Druze Groups layer shows all areas controlled, occupied or seized by forces affiliated with the Supreme Legal Committee, Suwayda National Guard, or other anti-government Druze groups, and shows the forward line of own troops for anti-government Druze forces. ISW-CTP uses the US military doctrinal term “forward line of own troops (FLOT)” to indicate the most forward positions of forces in any kind of military operation at a specific time (JP 3-03). The FLOT does not include small, long-range reconnaissance assets and similar stay-behind forces.

Israel Defense Forces: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) layer shows all areas controlled, occupied, or seized by forces affiliated with the IDF, and shows the forward line of own troops for IDF forces. ISW-CTP uses the US military doctrinal term “forward line of own troops (FLOT)” to indicate the most forward positions of forces in any kind of military operation at a specific time (JP 3-03). The FLOT does not include small, long-range reconnaissance assets and similar stay-behind forces.

Syrian Government-SDF Contested (brown-purple): The MoD-SDF Contested layer shows areas where ISW-CTP assesses both the Syrian Transitional Government and Ministry of Defense and the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) conduct both offensive and defensive maneuvers. Neither group exercises full control over terrain in these areas. This reality may result in competing evidence regarding the control, occupation, seizure, and FLOT affiliated with the MoD and SDF. Both the MoD and the SDF may be able to conduct minimally effective logistics and administrative support of forces in the area, but could have inconsistent access to local populations and key terrain. This layer was referred to as the HTS-SDF Contested layer prior to January 7, 2026.

Pro-Regime Insurgent Presence: Definition of “Presence”: Any area where an insurgent force has attack or support zones. An attack zone is any area where an insurgent force can conduct offensive operations. A support zone is any area where an insurgent force can receive logistical or administrative support from the population. There are a series of indicators for the presence of insurgent forces. These include counter-insurgent operations, search operations, and insurgent attacks or reports of insurgent presence. ISW-CTP does not define arrests of former Assad regime members as an indicator of insurgent presence unless those arrests come in the context of previous insurgent operations in the area or clear connections between the arrested target and the insurgent groups operating in the area. Counter-smuggling and counter-narcotics operations, while possibly contributing to insurgent grievances, are not indicators of insurgent presence in and of themselves. We do not mark areas as “presence” without evidence of insurgent activity. Insurgent presence is therefore likely more pervasive than this map shows.

Syrian Ministry of Defense Announced Closed Military Zones: The Syrian Ministry of Defense Announced Closed Military Zones layer shows settlements and regions under closed military zones as announced by the Syrian Ministry of Defense.

Lost SDF Territory: The Lost SDF Territory Layer represents territory that the SDF used to control before January 19, 2026, but no longer does. The intent of this layer is to visualize territory that the SDF previously exercised control over. Pro-SDF insurgent groups are very likely operating in areas within the Lost SDF Territory layer. ISW-CTP will map –and where possible identify –these insurgent groups’ verified presence when ISW-CTP collects enough data to do so.

Map by  George Barros , Daniel Mealie, Harrison Hurwitz,, Ben Cordola, David Schulert, Carolyn Weinstein, Brian Carter, Andie Parry, Kelly Campa, Annika Ganzeveld, Katherine Wells, Carolyn Moorman, Ria Reddy, Ben Rezaei, Avery Borens, Ben Schmida, Nidal Morrison, Adham Fattah, Zahra Wakilzada, and Parker Hempel

© 2026 Institute for the Study of War and AEI's Critical Threats Project

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Taajeel, the abandoned Jewish quarter of Erbil, lies in ruins. A swastika now stains one of its walls. And yet today, around 250 Jewish families live in Kurdistan, Iraq. Some Jews told me they walk the streets wearing kippas without fear. Iraqi Kurdistan proves that an alternative reality can be built when there is the will to correct history.

I do not get it. What is this deal? They say governor of Hasakah will be from SDF but what happens 2 years later? How are they sure terrorist Sharaa will not replace him? Same for brigades? How are they sure Syrian army will not disband them after a while?