In a surprising turn of events, the Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have announced a ceasefire, marking a significant shift in the country’s long-standing conflict. The agreement, signed on Sunday, paves the way for the government to assert its control over the entire nation, including the strategically important regions of Raqqa and Deir el-Zour.
The announcement came after tensions between the government forces and the SDF boiled over earlier this month, leading to a major push by the government towards the east. The SDF, which had controlled the north-eastern parts of the country for over a decade, appeared to have largely retreated after initial clashes on a tense frontline area in eastern Aleppo province.
In a video statement, SDF leader Mazloum Abdi confirmed the agreement, stating that the group had accepted the deal, which stipulates their withdrawal from Raqqa and Deir el-Zour provinces “to stop the bloodshed”. The Syrian defence ministry said it had ordered the fighting to halt on the frontlines after the agreement was announced.
The agreement is a significant victory for the Syrian government, which has struggled to assert its full authority over the country since the toppling of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. The deal includes the dismantling of the SDF and the integration of its forces into the Syrian military and security forces, while senior military and civilian officials will be given high-ranking positions in state institutions.
The SDF will have to give up control of the Raqqa and Deir el-Zour provinces, both of which are Arab-majority areas, as well as its border crossings and oil and gas fields. The Hasakah province, the heartland of the Kurdish population, is expected to only hand over its civilian administration to Damascus, while the Kurdish-led agencies that handled prisons and sprawling camps with thousands of detained Islamic State group fighters and families will be handed over to the government.
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa hailed the agreement as a “victory for all Syrians of all backgrounds”, expressing hope that the country will move from a “state of division to a state of unity and progress”. US envoy Tom Barrack, who met with al-Sharaa earlier on Sunday, praised the agreement, saying it would lead to “renewed dialogue and cooperation toward a unified Syria”.
The implementation of the different elements of the agreement is expected to be gradual, with the immediate focus being on the cessation of hostilities. The agreement represents a significant shift in the dynamics of the Syrian conflict, with the government poised to assert its control over the entire country and the Kurdish forces agreeing to a diminished role.
