Syrian army, US-backed Kurdish forces agree ceasefire
The Syrian government and the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have agreed to an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire on all fronts after days of fighting as the army advanced into Kurdish-controlled areas in the northeast.
According to a document published by the Syrian Presidency on Sunday, the ceasefire will parallel the withdrawal of all SDF forces to the east of the Euphrates River.
The statement stated that the agreement requires the unification of all SDF forces within the defense and interior ministries after the necessary security checks are carried out.
The government will also immediately and completely capture the Kurdish-held Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa provinces militarily and administratively.
All border crossings and gas and oil fields in the region will also be transferred to the Syrian government.
The SDF will be determined to evacuate all non-Syrian leaders and forces affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) out of the country.
The document shared by the Syrian presidency included the signatures of both Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara and SDF leader Mazloum Abdi.
“All remaining files in the SDF will be resolved,” Sharaa was quoted as saying by state media.
He said he was preparing to meet Abdi on Monday.
Early Sunday, Syrian government forces had entered the city of Raqqa; This was the latest breakthrough after tensions flared between Damascus and the SDF in early January.
The army has already captured Tabqa in Raqqa province, which is considered critical because of the dam that controls the southward flow of the Euphrates River and also hosts an air base. The government took control of the oil fields in the state.
