QAMISHLI, Syria: Syrian troops and Kurdish forces were massed on opposing sides of front lines in northern Syria on Saturday, as the clock ticked down to an evening deadline that would determine whether they resume fighting or lay down their arms. Neighboring Turkiye, as well as some officials in Syria, said late on Friday that the deadline could be extended. Government troops have seized swathes of northern and eastern territory in the last two weeks from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in a rapid turn of events that has consolidated President Ahmed Al-Sharaa’s rule.

A four-day ceasefire was declared after Syrian forces continued their advance in the province of Hassakeh. They took control of prisons holding Islamic State fighters and the…

QAMISHLI, Syria: Syrian troops and Kurdish forces were massed on opposing sides of front lines in northern Syria on Saturday, as the clock ticked down to an evening deadline that…