**DAMASCUS** – In a development poised to dramatically reshape the Syrian landscape, the Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have inked a comprehensive ceasefire agreement, bringing an end to nearly two weeks of intermittent hostilities. The accord, brokered after intensive diplomatic engagement, signals a significant shift in control, with Damascus poised to reassert its authority over key territories previously managed by the SDF.
The agreement, articulated through a meticulously detailed 14-point framework, stipulates the immediate cessation of all fighting across the nation. Crucially, it mandates the integration of the SDF into the Syrian military and broader state apparatus. This integration will see Syrian state institutions assume oversight of civilian administrations, vital border crossings, and the nation's lucrative oil and gas fields, predominantly located in the eastern and northern governorates of al-Hasakah, Deir Ezzor, and Raqqa. Furthermore, the SDF's administration of facilities holding ISIS detainees and associated camps will be absorbed into the central government's structure, placing the onus of security and legal responsibility squarely on Damascus.
This pivotal accord was finalised following a crucial meeting in the capital, Damascus, between President Ahmed al-Sharaa and the United States Special Envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack. While SDF commander Mazloum Abdi was slated to visit Damascus to formally sign the agreement, adverse weather conditions necessitated a postponement, with his arrival anticipated the following Monday. The protracted negotiations underscore the complexities involved in de-escalating the conflict, which had threatened to spiral into a wider conflagration.
The SDF, which emerged as a formidable force during the protracted Syrian civil war with vital backing from the United States in its campaign against ISIS, had established a de facto autonomous administration in areas west of the Euphrates River. This new agreement effectively calls for the withdrawal of SDF forces from these strategic zones, paving the way for the advance of Syrian state institutions. In a move designed to foster a sense of national partnership, the SDF will have the prerogative to nominate candidates for senior positions within the central government's military, security, and civilian branches, a provision intended to ensure representation and buy-in.
SDF commander Mazloum Abdi, speaking on the Kurdish television channel Ronahi, articulated the rationale behind accepting the terms, stating that the deal was crucial to "avoid a broader war," and that the recent fighting had been "imposed" upon the SDF. The implications of this agreement are far-reaching. Should it be fully implemented, the Syrian government would be on the cusp of regaining almost complete control over the country's territory. The integration of the SDF into state structures, alongside the transfer of critical infrastructure and security responsibilities, represents a significant consolidation of power for President al-Sharaa's administration. The successful management of ISIS detainees and camps by Syrian authorities will also be a key test of the efficacy of this newfound unity and a critical step in ensuring regional stability.