The Syrian government on Sunday announced a ceasefire with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), effectively taking control of Raqqa and Deir el-Zour provinces. The deal follows recent clashes in eastern Aleppo province, where government forces advanced on Kurdish-held areas.
SDF leader Mazloum Abdi confirmed the agreement in a video statement, saying the group accepted the terms to 'stop the bloodshed'. The deal stipulates the SDF's withdrawal from Raqqa and Deir el-Zour, which include oil and gas fields, river dams, and border crossings.
Syria's President Ahmad al-Sharaa called the agreement 'a victory for all Syrians' and expressed hope it would end the country's division. The ceasefire was brokered with US involvement, with envoy Tom Barrack praising it as a 'pivotal inflection point'.
The agreement includes dismantling the SDF and integrating its forces into Syria's military and security forces. Senior SDF officials will receive high-ranking positions in state institutions. Hassakah province, the Kurdish heartland, will return its civilian administration to Damascus, while Kurdish-led agencies handling prisons and camps for Islamic State fighters will also be handed over.
No clear timeline was given for implementation, but al-Sharaa said it would begin with a cessation of hostilities. Large military convoys entered Raqqa on Sunday evening, with crowds celebrating in the streets.
