Syria announces ceasefire agreement with Kurd-led SDF | UK | News
A ceasefire has been declared between Syrian government forces and US-backed Kurdish-led fighters. Clashes have intensified in recent days after Syrian troops captured the country’s largest oil field and a large gas field from the Kurdish-led group.
The ceasefire brings an end to nearly two weeks of fighting and is part of a broader 14-point agreement that includes integrating the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the country’s military and state institutions. Speaking in Damascus, President Ahmed al-Shara said the agreement would allow Syrian state authorities to regain control of three provinces in the east and north: Hasakah, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa. The government has pledged not to harm SDF personnel and fighters or the civilian administration in Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa.
The announcement followed a meeting in Damascus between President al-Sharaa and US special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack, who hailed the agreement as a step towards a “united Syria”.
Al Shara said that SDF commander Mazloum Abdi was expected to attend the meeting, but could not travel due to weather conditions and his visit was postponed to Monday.
Kurdish-led forces established an autonomous administration during Syria’s civil war nearly a decade ago, with strong support from the United States, which has armed and trained the SDF as its primary local partner in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS).
With US military support, the SDF has driven ISIS out of much of northeastern Syria and continues to govern areas populated by both Kurdish and Arab communities.
The agreement also confirms Syria’s continued participation in the US-led coalition against the Islamic State.
This followed months of negotiations following an earlier failed integration attempt and followed Syrian government forces advancing towards Raqqa and nearby oil facilities following the SDF’s withdrawal early Sunday.
Al-Sharaa said last week that it was unacceptable that militias control a quarter of the country and hold key oil and commodity resources.
The Syrian army also took control of the northern city of Tabqa and its adjacent dam late Saturday, as well as the large Freedom Dam west of Raqqa, formerly known as the Baath Dam.
