In a significant development for Syria’s protracted conflict, the Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have reached a comprehensive ceasefire agreement effective immediately. The breakthrough accord, announced Sunday through an official document published by the Syrian Presidency, follows intense negotiations amid recent military escalations in northeastern territories.
The agreement mandates the simultaneous withdrawal of all SDF-affiliated military units to positions east of the Euphrates River. This strategic repositioning occurs alongside the complete transfer of military and administrative control over the Kurdish-held provinces of Deir al-Zor and Raqqa to Damascus authorities. The arrangement encompasses all critical infrastructure, including border crossings and hydrocarbon facilities containing Syria’s vital oil and gas fields.
A key provision requires the SDF to facilitate the evacuation of all non-Syrian leadership and forces associated with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) beyond national borders. The framework further outlines the integration of SDF combat units into Syria’s formal defense and interior ministries following comprehensive security vetting procedures.
The documented accord bears the signatures of both Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and SDF commander Mazloum Abdi, signaling high-level endorsement from both factions. President al-Sharaa characterized the agreement as resolving “all lingering files with the SDF” during statements to state media, while confirming scheduled direct negotiations with Commander Abdi for Monday.
This diplomatic achievement represents a substantial recalibration of Syria’s complex geopolitical landscape, potentially altering power dynamics in the region’s decade-long conflict. The accord facilitates government reassertion over strategically and economically significant territories while providing structured integration for Kurdish forces into national institutions.