Syria’s government announced a ceasefire agreement with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) after a military push that saw government forces advance into key northeastern areas previously held by the SDF. The deal outlines steps to halt fighting, shift control of territory and state institutions to Damascus, and integrate SDF members into Syria’s security structures.
The Syrian Defense Ministry said it ordered fighting to stop along front lines after the agreement was announced, while the SDF did not immediately confirm the deal, according to The Associated Press. Anadolu Agency (AA), citing Syria’s state news agency SANA, described the agreement as combining an immediate ceasefire with administrative, military, and institutional reintegration under Damascus’ authority.
Ceasefire announced after rapid advances
The Associated Press reported that tensions earlier this month escalated into a major push by government forces toward the east, with the SDF appearing to largely retreat after initial clashes in a front-line area of eastern Aleppo province. AP also said the government has largely asserted control of Deir Ezzor and Raqqa provinces since the push, areas it described as critical because they include oil and gas fields, dams along the Euphrates River, and border crossings.
AP reported that overnight, the Syrian military seized Tabqa and moved into Raqqa province, with troops reaching much of Raqqa city by the time the ceasefire announcement was made. An AP reporter said large military convoys swept into Raqqa city and were greeted by residents, and it appeared the SDF had withdrawn.
AA said the agreement followed “days of rapid military and political developments,” including local uprisings, defections from YPG/SDF ranks, and advancing Syrian army operations across Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor, and surrounding areas. AA also stated that the SDF is “dominated” by the YPG and described the YPG as the Syrian branch of the PKK, which AA called a terrorist group.
Leaders sign, but timing remains unclear
AP said Syria’s state-run news agency SANA showed President Ahmed al-Sharaa signing and holding up the agreement document. AP reported that SDF leader Mazloum Abdi was not seen at the signing, though his signature appeared on the document, and Sharaa told journalists Abdi could not travel due to bad weather and would visit Damascus on Monday after they reached the agreement by phone.
Sharaa described the deal as “a victory for all Syrians of all backgrounds,” and said, “Hopefully, Syria will end its state of division and move to a state of unity and progress,” according to AP. AP also reported there was no clear timeline for how and when the different parts of the agreement would take effect, and Sharaa said implementation would be gradual, starting with stopping hostilities.
AA presented the agreement as a framework that begins with an “immediate and comprehensive ceasefire” across fronts and contact lines between Syrian government forces and the SDF. AA also said the deal provides for redeployment steps that would allow Syrian army units to enter former contact zones.
What the agreement says about territory and institutions
AA reported that, under the deal, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa governorates would be placed immediately under full administrative and military control of the Syrian government, including the takeover of civil institutions and facilities. AA also said Damascus pledged not to pursue SDF fighters or civil administration personnel in those two provinces.
AP similarly reported that the agreement includes the SDF giving up Raqqa and Deir Ezzor provinces, along with border crossings and oil and gas fields, to the Syrian military and government. On Hasakah, AP said it was expected to return its civilian administration to Damascus, while AA said civilian institutions previously run by the SDF-affiliated administration would be absorbed into Syria’s official administrative framework.
AA said the agreement transfers control of all border crossings and major oil and gas fields in northeastern Syria to the Syrian government, and that regular Syrian forces would secure energy infrastructure so resources return to state management. AP also reported that, under the deal, responsibility for prisons and camps holding thousands of detained Islamic State group fighters and family members would be handed over to Damascus.
Security integration and local arrangements
AP said the agreement includes dismantling the SDF and having its forces join Syria’s military and security forces, with senior military and civilian officials receiving high-ranking positions in state institutions. AA said SDF members would be integrated individually into Syria’s defense and interior ministries after security vetting, with accepted members receiving official ranks and full military entitlements.
AA said the agreement requires all YPG/SDF military formations to withdraw east of the Euphrates River. AP reported that tensions appeared to have calmed after Abdi said his troops would withdraw east of the Euphrates River, and after Sharaa issued a presidential decree that would strengthen Kurdish rights in the country.
AA said a presidential decree would appoint a governor for Hasakah as a guarantee of political participation and local representation. AA also said that in Ayn al-Arab (Kobani), heavy military deployments would be removed, with security handled by locally recruited forces alongside a local police unit administratively linked to Syria’s Interior Ministry.
AA said the agreement bars incorporating remnants of the former Assad regime into SDF ranks and requires the group to submit lists of former regime officers operating in northeastern Syria. AA also said the SDF commits to removing non-Syrian PKK leaders and members from Syrian territory.
US role and other provisions cited
AP reported that both sides are key allies of Washington and that US Envoy Tom Barrack met Sharaa as government forces were sweeping into Raqqa and across Deir Ezzor province, with Abdi reportedly joining by phone. Barrack praised the deal, saying it would lead to “renewed dialogue and cooperation toward a unified Syria,” and called it “a pivotal inflection point” in a post on X, according to AP.
AA said Damascus reaffirmed its commitment to combating ISIS as part of the international coalition, including continued coordination with the United States. AA also said the agreement calls for steps toward the safe and dignified return of displaced residents to areas such as Afrin and Sheikh Maqsoud.
