Syrian army extends hold over north Syria, Kurds report clashes

Syria's army took control of swathes of the country's north on Saturday, dislodging Kurdish forces from territory over which they held effective autonomy for more than a decade. The government appeared to be extending its grip on parts of the country under Kurdish control a day after President Ahmed al-Sharaa issued a decree declaring Kurdish a "national language" and granting the minority group official recognition. The Kurds have said the announcement fell short of their aspirations.