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. Damascus has demanded the SDF, spearheaded by the Kurdish ​YPG, merge fully into the security forces and that governing bodies in the Kurdish-run regions also be integrated. The Kurdish-led forces have resisted, aiming to preserve their regional autonomy and expressing concerns that ​the Islamist-led administration in ⁠Damascus seeks to dominate Syria. Conflict erupted this month, with government troops seizing Kurdish-run districts of Aleppo before thrusting eastwards last week, forcing Kurdish fighters to retreat. WHERE HAVE THE SYRIAN GOVERNMENT FORCES ADVANCED? The provinces of Raqqa, Deir al-Zor and parts …