In a significant development for the war-torn nation, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa declared a comprehensive ceasefire and a full integration pact between the government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Sunday. The sweeping agreement aims to restore state authority across the country's crucial northeast region.
Key Terms of the Agreement
The official terms, published by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), call for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire across all fronts and contact lines separating government forces from the SDF. This truce is set to begin simultaneously with the withdrawal of all SDF-linked military formations to areas located east of the Euphrates River. This move is described as a preparatory step for their subsequent redeployment.
A central pillar of the deal is the full and immediate handover of Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa provinces to the Syrian government. The transfer encompasses both administrative and military control, including all civilian institutions and facilities present in these areas.
Administrative Integration and Amnesty
To ensure a smooth transition, the agreement includes specific provisions for personnel. All current employees working in Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa will be formally retained within the relevant Syrian state ministries. In a crucial confidence-building measure, the government has pledged not to take punitive measures against SDF personnel or members of the civil administration in these two provinces.
Furthermore, the pact stipulates the integration of all civilian institutions in the neighboring Hasakah province into the official Syrian state institutions and administrative structures.
Control Over Borders and Resources
The deal significantly bolsters the Syrian government's control over strategic national assets. As part of the agreement, Damascus will assume control of all border crossings and oil and gas fields in the region. Syrian forces will be tasked with securing these sites to ensure that the revenues generated are returned to the state treasury, according to the SANA report.
This landmark agreement, if fully implemented, marks a pivotal shift in Syria's long-running conflict, potentially ending hostilities in a key region and centralizing control over vital economic resources.
