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Syrian Government Announces Ceasefire with Kurdish Forces, Reclaims Control of Northeast
The Syrian government on Sunday declared a ceasefire with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), effectively reclaiming nearly full control of the country after a decade of divided rule. The agreement dismantles the autonomous administration that has governed northeastern Syria since the height of the civil war.
The announcement follows escalating tensions that culminated in a swift military push by government forces eastward in recent weeks. Syrian troops rapidly advanced through SDF-controlled territories, with the Kurdish-led forces appearing to retreat after initial clashes along front lines in eastern Aleppo province.
“It’s a victory for all Syrians of all backgrounds,” Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa told journalists in Damascus after signing the agreement. “Hopefully Syria will end its state of division and moves to a state of unity and progress.”
The Defense Ministry has ordered fighting to halt on all front lines. While al-Sharaa was seen signing the document on state television, SDF leader Mazloum Abdi was notably absent despite his signature appearing on the agreement. According to al-Sharaa, Abdi could not travel to Damascus due to inclement weather but is expected to visit the capital Monday after finalizing terms via telephone.
The SDF has not officially confirmed the agreement and did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press.
This development represents a significant geopolitical shift in Syria’s fractured landscape. Syria’s new leadership, which came to power after toppling Bashar Assad in December 2024, has struggled to assert its full authority over the war-ravaged nation. A previous integration agreement reached in March failed to gain traction, with both sides accusing each other of violations.
The ceasefire comes at a crucial moment as government forces had already swept into strategic areas, including the city of Raqqa – once the self-declared capital of the Islamic State group’s “caliphate” before being liberated by the SDF in 2017. Syrian troops also advanced into Deir el-Zour province, securing critical infrastructure including oil and gas fields, river dams along the Euphrates, and valuable border crossings.
U.S. Envoy Tom Barrack, who met with President al-Sharaa earlier Sunday as government forces were moving into Raqqa, praised the agreement as a pathway to “renewed dialogue and cooperation toward a unified Syria.” Barrack wrote on X: “This agreement and ceasefire represent a pivotal inflection point, where former adversaries embrace partnership over division.” Both the Syrian government and the SDF have been key allies of Washington in recent years.
Under the terms of the agreement, the SDF will be dismantled with its forces integrated into Syria’s military and security apparatus. Senior SDF military and civilian officials are promised high-ranking positions within state institutions. The Kurdish-led forces must relinquish control of Raqqa and Deir el-Zour provinces to the Syrian military, along with border crossings and valuable natural resources.
In Hassakah Province, only civilian administration will return to Damascus control, while Kurdish-led agencies responsible for prisons and camps housing thousands of detained Islamic State fighters and their families will be transferred to government authority.
The implementation timeline remains unclear, with al-Sharaa indicating it will occur gradually, beginning with the immediate cessation of hostilities.
An Associated Press reporter in the area observed large military convoys entering Raqqa city to apparent welcome from local residents, suggesting the SDF had withdrawn ahead of the agreement’s announcement. Armed Arab clans in Raqqa and Deir el-Zour, many of whom have been at odds with SDF leadership, reportedly backed Damascus during the military push.
This agreement potentially ends one of the last major divisions within Syria’s borders after more than a decade of devastating civil war, though significant challenges remain in fully reintegrating these territories and populations under central government control.
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10 Comments
The ceasefire agreement is a notable shift in the Syrian conflict, but it remains to be seen whether it will hold in the long run. The energy and mining sectors will be an important barometer of the government’s ability to consolidate control over the northeast.
The ceasefire announcement provides some clarity, but there are still many open questions about the durability of the agreement and its implications for the various factions involved. Time will tell how this plays out on the ground.
This announcement represents a significant victory for the Assad government, but the absence of the SDF leader at the signing ceremony suggests there may be lingering tensions or unresolved issues. The implications for energy and mining operations in the region will be worth monitoring.
The reclaiming of control over the northeast is a significant strategic win for the Syrian government, but the true test will be whether this ceasefire can be sustained and whether it leads to a more stable and unified country.
A significant geopolitical development in the Middle East. The Syrian government’s reassertion of control over the northeast could have ripple effects on energy and mining operations in the country, as well as the broader regional power dynamics.
This announcement comes as no surprise given the recent military advances by Syrian government forces. The question is whether the ceasefire will hold, or if renewed fighting could erupt over the delicate balance of power in the region.
This is an important development in the Syrian civil war, with potential ramifications for the energy and mining sectors in the country. It will be interesting to see how the government’s reassertion of control over the northeast affects production and exports.
This ceasefire seems like an important development in the long-running Syrian conflict. Reclaiming control of the northeast is a significant win for the Assad government, though the absence of the SDF leader raises questions about the durability of the agreement.
Curious to see how this plays out for Kurdish autonomy in Syria. The SDF has controlled large swaths of the northeast, so this could mark the end of that de facto self-governance. Will be worth watching for any concessions made to the Kurds.
The energy and mining sectors in Syria will be impacted by this ceasefire, as the government regains control over key territories. It will be interesting to see how this affects oil, gas, and mineral production and exports going forward.