Syrian government, Kurdish forces reach ceasefire deal
The Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces announced that they had reached a broad agreement on a comprehensive ceasefire and the gradual integration of military and administrative bodies into the Syrian state.
According to the agreement, the forces gathered on the front lines in the north of the country will be withdrawn and the security forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs will be deployed in the centers of the northeastern cities of Hasakah and Qamishli, which are held by the SDF. Local security forces will be merged.
The parties announced the agreement after Syrian government forces led by President Ahmed al-Shara captured parts of northern and eastern Syria from the SDF this month, forcing Kurdish forces to retreat into a shrinking area.
The fate of the SDF, which once controlled a quarter or more of Syria, has been one of the biggest issues looming in the country since Islamist fighters led by Sharaa toppled President Bashar al-Assad 14 months ago.
The agreement includes the creation of a brigade for forces in the SDF-held town of Kobani, also known as Ayn al-Arab, in Aleppo province, as well as the creation of a military division that will include three SDF brigades.
According to the agreement announced by the SDF, “The agreement aims to unite Syrian territory and achieve full integration in the region by strengthening cooperation between relevant parties and uniting efforts to rebuild the country.”
A senior Syrian government official told Reuters the agreement was final, reached late on Thursday, and implementation would begin immediately.
U.S. envoy Tom Barrack, who has been closely involved in mediation efforts, called the agreement “a profound and historic milestone in Syria’s journey toward national reconciliation, unity, and lasting stability.”
Noah Bonsey, a senior adviser at the International Crisis Group think tank, said the agreement was a “potentially historic turning point.”
“It seems like both sides have managed to find a middle ground that works for them both on some incredibly difficult questions,” he said.
“It eliminates what could be a really ugly military showdown in northeast Syria. Implementation will be difficult. There are many challenges ahead,” he said, adding that he was waiting to see all the circumstances.
The United States has been closely involved in mediation efforts to reach an agreement between the parties for almost a year.
The SDF was once Washington’s main ally in Syria, helping the US military fight the Islamic State. But his position has weakened as President Donald Trump has established close ties with Sharaa.
