To determine areas of control, the Center’s Syria Conflict Mapping Team relies on reported conflict events, independent media analysis, information from partners, including ACLED, and interlocuters in Syria.
To use: Click on the month in the bar below to change the map's areas of control. Select one of the armed group categories on the time chart below to see the control exerted by that particular group. Use the Governorate, Location Name under "Filter by Location" to view a particular area. Use "Search by Location Name" to find a particular location in English or Arabic. Right click on a point on the map and select "Drill Through" to see details of a location.
Note: This page is best viewed on a desktop computer.
Because of the complexity of the actors involved in the conflict and the evolution of their engagement over time, we use these broad categories.
The Syrian Transitional Government refers to the current governing authority of Syria led by Ahmad al-Sharaa following the collapse of the previous Assad-led Government. It was replaced by the HTS-led Coalition (used between Dec. 8, 2024, to April 1, 2025) before adopting the name “Syrian Transitional Government” on March 29, 2025.
Druze Armed Groups refers to the various Druze groups that control As-Suwayda Governorate, primarily concerned with the protection of Druze interests. Previously called the Suwayda Operations Room (used from Dec. 8, 2024, to July 1, 2025).
Israel refers to territories occupied by Israel in the Quneitra/Dara’a Governorates following the fall of the Assad-led GoS.
Syrian Democratic Forces refers to the Kurdish-led armed group, including the Syrian Democratic Forces and their allies, that operate mainly in northeast Syria.
SDF/STG denotes the locations where Kurdish de facto authorities and the Syrian transitional government have agreed upon joint control. As of this writing, this primarily concerns the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods of Aleppo City.
Operation Euphrates Shield (2016), Operation Olive Branch (2018), Operation Peace Spring (2019), and Operation Dawn of Freedom (2024) refer to the Turkish military campaigns that took control of these locations.
U.S. and NSAGS (Non-State Armed Groups) refer to the locations along Syria's border with Jordan that are under the control of U.S. military and allied opposition groups.
As the conflict has changed, so have the actors. As a result, there are a wide variety of terms we have used in the past to capture these armed groups, governments, etc. For the sake of clarity regarding our historical data, these are defined below.
The Government referred to the former Assad-led Syrian government and its allies, including Russian forces, Iranian forces, and pro-government militias. This was led by Bashar al-Assad. Used from January 2014 to Dec. 8, 2024.
Opposition referred to the amalgamation of non-state armed groups that oppose the former Assad-led Government of Syria. Used from January 2014 to Dec. 8, 2024.
YPG referred to the Kurdish People’s Defense Units (YPG) and its allies that became a pre-eminent power in NE Syria. This was later succeeded by the SDF after the YPG (and other groups) formed the SDF. Used from January 2014 to September 2015.
SDF/Government denoted the locations where Kurdish de facto authorities and the Syrian government have agreed upon joint control. This includes Quamishli in the Hasakah Governorate, which has been under joint control since the start of the conflict. Used from January 2020 to Dec. 1, 2024.
Ceasefire referred to locations that were being monitored by international observers as ceasefire zones as part of relevant location and national agreements at the time. Used between June 2014 to December 2016.
Islamic State referred to areas controlled by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. The term stopped being used after they lost control of all of our listed locations. Used between January 2014 to February 2019.
Related Resources
Take a look at our partner ACLED's complementary "Mapping Territorial Control in Syria" reports to see an overview of control per quarter.
Learn more about the Carter Center's Support for Peace in Syria project and read our weekly reports.
