The Syrian government and the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) agreed on an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire on all fronts on Sunday after days of fighting as the army advanced into Kurdish-held territories in the northeast.
Military personnel stand at the crossing connecting the two banks of the Euphrates River, as others attempt to cross to the other side after the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) withdrew from Deir al-Zor province and the Syrian army took full control over the area, in Deir al-Zor, Syria, January 18, 2026. Reuters/Khalil Ashawi
The Syrian government and the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) agreed on an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire on all fronts on Sunday after days of fighting as the army advanced into Kurdish-held territories in the northeast.
The ceasefire will be in parallel with the withdrawal of all SDF affiliated forces to the east of the Euphrates River, according to a document published by the Syrian Presidency on Sunday.
The deal entails merging all SDF forces into the defence and interior ministries after conducting required security checks, the statement said.
The government will also immediately and completely take over the Kurdish-held provinces of Deir al-Zor and Raqqa militarily and administratively.
All border crossings, and gas and oil fields in the area, will also be handed over to the Syrian government.
The SDF will be committed to evacuating all non-Syrian leaders and forces affiliated to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) outside of the country.
The document, shared by the Syrian presidency, showed the signatures of both Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and SDF head Mazloum Abdi.
"All lingering files with the SDF will be resolved," state media quoted Sharaa as saying.
He said he was set to meet Abdi on Monday.
By Mahmoud Hasano and Khalil Ashawi and Jaidaa Taha
Lebanon and Syria will in the coming months begin revising decades-old trade agreements to revive their economic relationship following the ouster of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad in 2024, Lebanon's economy minister told Reuters on Thursday.
Syrian authorities said on Thursday they had foiled an attempt to smuggle advanced weapons and missiles across the border from Iraq, with state news agency SANA citing an Interior Ministry source as saying the shipment appeared destined for militant group Hezbollah.
The U.S. struck Iran's coastal defenses and missile sites on Wednesday after reimposing a naval blockade of its ports, while Iran threatened to shut off more regional energy exports, saying it was engaged in an "existential war" with America.
To make this website run properly and to improve your experience, we use cookies. For more detailed information, please check our Cookie Policy.
Necessary cookies enable core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences.