In a significant turn of events, the Syrian government has declared an immediate nationwide ceasefire with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which have effectively taken control of vast portions of the country, as reported by state media.
This ceasefire brings to an end nearly two weeks of intense conflict and is part of a larger 14-point agreement aimed at integrating the SDF into Syria's military and various state institutions.
During a press conference in Damascus, President Ahmed al-Sharaa emphasized that this agreement will enable Syrian state institutions to regain authority over three key regions in the east and north: al-Hasakah, Deir Ezzor, and Raqqa.
The announcement came after a meeting between al-Sharaa and Tom Barrack, the US special envoy to Syria, in the capital city. Barrack commended the agreement, describing it as a crucial step towards achieving a "unified Syria."
Although SDF commander Mazloum Abdi was expected to participate in the discussion, adverse weather conditions prevented his travel, leading to a postponement of his visit until the following Monday, as noted by al-Sharaa.
The SDF, which is primarily composed of Kurdish forces, established its autonomous administration nearly a decade ago amid the chaos of Syria's civil war, receiving substantial support from the United States, which armed and trained them as the primary local ally in the battle against the Islamic State group (Isis). With the backing of US military resources, the SDF successfully expelled Isis from much of northeastern Syria and has since governed both Kurdish and Arab-majority territories.
According to the terms of the newly signed agreement between al-Sharaa and Abdi, Syrian authorities are set to take control of civilian administrations, border crossings, and oil and gas fields that have been vital for Kurdish self-governance.
Furthermore, SDF military and security personnel will be incorporated into Syria's defense and interior ministries, subject to a vetting process. Additionally, the Syrian government will assume responsibility for prisons and detention facilities that currently hold tens of thousands of foreign Isis fighters and their families.
In a noteworthy development, Damascus reiterated its commitment to acknowledging Kurdish cultural and linguistic rights, which includes granting Kurdish official language status and recognizing the Kurdish New Year as a national holiday — marking the first formal acknowledgment of Kurdish rights in Syria since gaining independence from France in 1946.
The agreement also reaffirms Syria's involvement in the US-led coalition against the Islamic State.
This deal comes on the heels of several months of stalled negotiations following a previous failed attempt at integration and follows reports of Syrian government forces moving into Raqqa and adjacent oil facilities after a withdrawal by the SDF earlier on Sunday.
Al-Sharaa expressed last week that it is unacceptable for a militia to hold sway over a quarter of the nation and control its primary oil and resource assets.
