A ceasefire has been declared between Syrian government forces and US-backed, Kurdish-led fighters. Fighting had intensified in recent days, with Syrian troops seizing the country’s largest oil field and a major gas field from the Kurdish-led group.
The ceasefire brings an end to nearly two weeks of clashes and is part of a broader 14-point agreement that includes integrating the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the country’s military and state institutions. Speaking in Damascus, President Ahmed al-Sharaa said the deal would enable Syrian state authorities to regain control over three eastern and northern governorates: al-Hasakah, Deir Ezzor, and Raqqa. The government has made a commitment not to harm the employees and fighters of the SDF or the civil administration in either Deir Ezzor or Raqqa.
The announcement came after a meeting in Damascus between President al-Sharaa and US special envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, who hailed the agreement as a step toward a “unified Syria.”
SDF commander Mazloum Abdi was expected to attend the meeting but was unable to travel due to weather, with his visit rescheduled for Monday, al-Sharaa said.
The Kurdish-led forces established an autonomous administration nearly a decade ago during Syria’s civil war, with strong backing from the United States, which armed and trained the SDF as its primary local partner in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS).
With US military support, the SDF pushed ISIS out of much of northeastern Syria and went on to govern areas populated by both Kurdish and Arab communities.
The agreement also confirms Syria’s continued participation in the US-led coalition against the Islamic State.
It comes after months of stalled negotiations following a previous failed integration attempt and follows Syrian government forces’ recent advance into Raqqa and nearby oil facilities after the SDF withdrew earlier on Sunday.
Al-Sharaa said last week that it was unacceptable for a militia to control a quarter of the country and hold its key oil and commodity resources.
The Syrian army also took control of the northern city of Tabqa and its adjacent dam, as well as the major Freedom Dam, formerly known as the Baath Dam, west of Raqqa late on Saturday
