Dr. Muhammad Taha Al-Ahmad, Director of Arab Affairs at Syria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, denied circulating reports of extending a deadline granted by the Syrian government to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) regarding the future of Al-Hasakah Governorate, citing continuous truce violations and no positive response to state offers, in statements posted on X in the 29 minutes ending at 4:15 PM UTC on January 24, 2026. Al-Ahmad stated the Syrian state offered senior positions to the SDF, but received no nominations, and accused the SDF of spreading rumors about a truce extension to embarrass the government, according to HalabTodayTV on X. He affirmed all options remain available to enforce law, ensure Syria's unity, and protect citizens' rights through calm and dialogue. The official clarified that a Syrian military build-up in the vicinity of Al-Hasakah responds directly to an SDF forces build-up, as posted by issa1873325 on X during the same period. This follows earlier reports of Syrian army repulsions of SDF advances in Al-Hasakah's Al-Yarubiyah countryside and SDF mobilizations near Al-Safa village, as noted in prior updates.
