Ceasefire Ends Weeks of Deadly Fighting
The Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have agreed to an immediate nationwide ceasefire, raising hopes for greater stability after nearly two weeks of intense clashes. President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced the deal on Sunday, saying it would halt fighting on all fronts and allow the Syrian Army to regain control of key northeastern provinces, including Raqqa, Deir Az Zor and Hasakah.
The agreement follows rapid advances by government forces and comes after talks in Damascus involving the US special envoy to Syria. Celebrations broke out in several cities, especially in Raqqa, where residents welcomed the return of state control after almost a decade.
The Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have reportedly signed a comprehensive ceasefire and integration agreement that effectively ends the SDF’s autonomous control in the northeast and restores Damascus’s authority.
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What the Agreement Includes
At the heart of the deal is a plan to fully integrate the SDF into Syria’s defence and interior ministries under a unified national command. The 14-point agreement also places major oil and gas fields, border crossings and key infrastructure under government authority. As part of confidence-building steps, Kurdish fighters are expected to expel non-Syrian PKK-linked elements, a move strongly backed by Turkiye.
The Syrian government has also taken symbolic steps to address long-standing Kurdish grievances, including officially recognising Kurdish as a national language and restoring citizenship to thousands of Kurds previously left stateless.
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Regional and International Reactions
The ceasefire has been welcomed by the United States, which described it as a turning point toward a unified Syria. Washington had earlier urged restraint as government forces advanced into Kurdish-held areas. Analysts say the deal strengthens Damascus and satisfies key regional players, particularly Turkiye, which views the SDF as a security threat.
However, questions remain about whether the ceasefire will hold and how smoothly the integration process will unfold. After 14 years of war, many Syrians hope this agreement marks a real step toward lasting peace rather than another temporary pause in fighting.
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