The Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) began a four-day ceasefire Tuesday night, following recent advances by Syrian government forces in the northeast.
The ceasefire took effect at 8 p.m. local time (17:00 GMT), according to the Syrian Army, which also requested the SDF submit a candidate to serve as assistant to the defense minister in Damascus. The move is part of broader efforts to incorporate SDF forces into Syrian state institutions.
The SDF confirmed it had agreed to the ceasefire and said it would refrain from military action unless attacked. “We also affirm our openness to political paths, negotiated solutions, and dialogue,” the group said in a statement.
Despite the truce, the SDF reported attacks shortly after the ceasefire was enacted. It accused government-affiliated groups of using heavy weapons to target the village of Tal Baroud along the Abyad road, south of Hasakah. SDF spokesperson Farhad Shami also reported intense artillery shelling in Zarkan and drone attacks on al-Aqtan Prison north of Raqqa.
In recent days, the Syrian military has gained control over several territories previously held by the SDF, marking the most significant change in control since President Ahmed al-Sharaa assumed office following Bashar al-Assad’s departure.
The Syrian Interior Ministry stated that government forces began taking control of al-Hol camp in northeast Syria. The camp houses families of Islamic State group fighters and other refugees from the conflict. The SDF withdrew from the facility earlier Tuesday.
The SDF continues to hold Hasakah and the Kurdish-majority city of Qamishli. The Syrian government said it would not enter these cities during the ceasefire period.
Under mounting military pressure, the SDF agreed to withdraw from Raqqa and Deir el-Zour governorates, both Arab-majority areas that include key oilfields.
Kurdish representative Abdul Karim Omar told Al Jazeera that the region is ready to integrate SDF forces into Syrian state institutions.
Syria’s U.N. ambassador, Ibrahim Olabi, expressed hope that the ceasefire would hold, saying, “We’re working with our partners at the United States to make sure that it holds.”
U.S. envoy to Syria Tom Barrack stated that the Syrian government is now the United States’ main partner in the fight against the Islamic State group, a role previously held by the SDF.
