Syria Agrees to Ceasefire with Kurdish-Led Forces After Two Weeks of Clashes
The Syrian government has officially announced an immediate nationwide ceasefire with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), marking a significant turning point after nearly two weeks of intense clashes. This agreement brings the Syrian state closer to reclaiming control over substantial portions of the country.
– Context of the Ceasefire
– President Ahmed al-Sharaa confirmed that the ceasefire is part of a comprehensive 14-point agreement.
– This arrangement will integrate the SDF into Syria’s military and state institutions.
– Key Areas of Focus
– The ceasefire aims to restore control over three pivotal governorates:
– al-Hasakah
– Deir Ezzor
– Raqqa
– This decision follows a meeting between al-Sharaa and US special envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, who commended the agreement as a stride towards a unified Syria.
– Role of SDF Commander
– SDF commander Mazloum Abdi was unable to attend the initial meeting due to adverse weather conditions but is expected to arrive by Monday.
– In a televised address, Abdi confirmed the agreement and highlighted the necessity of avoiding a broader conflict, stressing that the fighting was imposed upon the SDF.
– Background of the Kurdish Administration
– The Kurdish-led forces have maintained an autonomous administration since the onset of Syria’s civil war nearly a decade ago, heavily supported by the United States, which equipped and trained the SDF as its primary local ally against the Islamic State (ISIS).
– The SDF successfully expelled ISIS from much of northeastern Syria and governs both Kurdish and Arab-majority areas.
– Details of the Agreement
– The ceasefire agreement, signed by al-Sharaa and Abdi, transfers control of civilian institutions, border crossings, and oil and gas fields crucial for Kurdish self-governance back to the Syrian authorities.
– SDF military and security personnel will be integrated into Syria’s defense and interior ministries after a vetting process.
– Damascus will take responsibility for prisons and detention camps containing thousands of foreign ISIS fighters and their families.
– The agreement also includes recognition of Kurdish cultural and linguistic rights, such as granting Kurdish official language status and designating the Kurdish New Year as a national holiday— a landmark acknowledgment of Kurdish rights since Syria’s independence in 1946.
– Ongoing Commitment and Future Steps
– Abdi reaffirmed the SDF’s commitment to safeguarding the achievements and unique characteristics of the Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria.
– The deal strengthens Syria’s role in the US-led coalition against ISIS and comes after previous integration discussions that faltered.
– The recent advance of Syrian government forces into Raqqa and nearby oil facilities follows an SDF withdrawal, further intensifying the urgency for the ceasefire.
As this situation evolves, the ceasefire represents a fragile yet hopeful step towards stability in Syria, providing a framework through which both the Syrian government and Kurdish forces can navigate their complex relationship.