The Intelligence from The Economist House of Kurds: on the ground in northern Syria
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Jan 21, 2026 
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Frontline Reporting From Shadadi
- Gareth Brown reports from a frozen military checkpoint in northeastern Syria amid columns of government troops and ambulances.
- He describes towns like Shadadi changing hands quickly and the chaos of soldiers firing in the air.
Kurdish Autonomy Rapidly Eroded
- The Syrian Democratic Forces carved autonomous control during the fight against ISIS but have rapidly lost territory in days.
- Their embryo of statehood has largely vanished as government forces reclaim large areas.
Local Celebrations, Deep Kurdish Fear
- Gareth says Arabs in Raqqa and Deir Ezzor celebrated government advances and saw Kurdish rule as foreign occupation.
- He contrasts jubilant Arab reactions with Kurdish feelings of betrayal and fear of reprisals.