Blurb:
Syria’s government and Kurdish-led forces reached a ceasefire, easing tensions after weeks of fighting reshaped control across northeast regions.
Raqqa
The Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced a ceasefire agreement on Friday that aims to prevent a potentially devastating battle in the country’s northeast, while setting out a roadmap for the gradual integration of Kurdish forces into the state’s security framework.
The deal comes after rapid advances by government troops loyal to President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who this month captured large swathes of northern and eastern Syria previously held by the SDF. Those gains forced the Kurdish-led group to retreat into an increasingly narrow enclave, dramatically altering the balance of power in a region that has long been one of the most complex theatres of Syria’s conflict.
The future of the SDF has loomed as one of the most critical unresolved questions since Islamist fighters led by Sharaa toppled former president Bashar al-Assad around 14 months ago. At its height, the SDF controlled roughly a quarter of Syrian territory, including key oil fields and major population centres in the northeast, making its status central to any durable political settlement.
According to the terms announced, forces amassed along northern front lines will begin to pull back, reducing the immediate risk of clashes. In a significant shift, Interior Ministry security units will deploy into the centres of the northeastern cities of Hasakah and Qamishli, both of which have until now remained under SDF control. The move is intended to reassert state authority while avoiding a direct military confrontation inside densely populated urban areas.
The agreement was welcomed by international mediators, particularly the United States. U.S. envoy Tom Barrack, who has been closely involved in behind-the-scenes negotiations, described the deal as a profound and historic milestone in Syria’s journey toward national reconciliation, unity, and enduring stability. His remarks underscore Washington’s interest in preventing further bloodshed and fragmentation in Syria, especially in regions that have been relatively stable in recent years.
