Explainer-How Syria's government has redrawn map with advances against the Kurds

Jan 21 (Reuters) - The Syrian government has seized swathes of northern and eastern Syria from Kurdish forces, consolidating President Ahmed al-Sharaa's rule nearly 14 months after Bashar al-Assad was toppled.

The rapid turn of events has brought almost all of Syria back under the authority of the Damascus-based state, following years of conflict that fractured the country, and puts a spotlight on shifting U.S. policy.

WHAT TRIGGERED THE SYRIAN ARMY ADVANCES?

Tensions had been simmering between the government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces for months.