Syria ceasefire: All border crossings to be handed to Damascus

WISE NEWS PRESS / DAMASCUS, SYRIA

The Syrian government announced a historic ceasefire agreement with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Sunday, marking a definitive shift toward total central control as all border crossings and strategic assets are transferred to Damascus.

This breakthrough effectively liquidates the Kurdish-led administration that has governed the country's northeast for over a decade. The deal follows a major military offensive by government forces toward the east, which saw the SDF withdraw from key positions in the Aleppo, Raqqa, and Deir ez-Zor governorates. Following the announcement, the Syrian Ministry of Defense issued an immediate order to halt all hostilities across the front lines.

Integration into National Security and Administrative Transfer

Under the terms of the comprehensive agreement, the SDF will be formally dissolved, and its personnel will be integrated into the Syrian national army and internal security units. High-ranking military and civilian officials from the former Kurdish-led administration are expected to receive senior positions within the state bureaucracy. Damascus will assume immediate control over critical oil and gas fields, international border gates, and strategic dams along the Euphrates River.

A notable exception remains in the Hasakah governorate, where civilian administration will transition to Damascus, while specialized Kurdish-led units will temporarily continue managing detention centers and camps holding thousands of ISIS militants and their families under central oversight.

International Mediation and Diplomatic Reactions

The agreement was reached with significant international mediation involving key allies of both factions. U.S. Ambassador to Turkiye and Special Envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack, met with President Ahmed el-Shara in Damascus as Syrian units reached the outskirts of Raqqa. SDF leader Mazloum Abdi participated in the final negotiations via telephone due to adverse weather conditions preventing travel.

Ambassador Barrack hailed the agreement on social media, describing it as a "vital turning point" for a unified Syria. He noted that the integration represents a shift from rivalry to partnership, though he emphasized that detailed implementation plans are still being finalized. President el-Shara confirmed that Abdi is scheduled to visit the capital on Monday to formalize the transition timeline.

Strategic Shifts in Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor

Prior to the formal announcement, the Syrian army had already captured Tabqa and established a significant presence within Raqqa city. This advancement was largely facilitated by local Arab tribes who shifted their support toward the Damascus administration. As of Sunday evening, government convoys had secured major infrastructure hubs previously managed by the SDF since the defeat of the ISIS "caliphate" in 2017.

President el-Shara addressed the nation following the signing, stating, "This is a victory for all Syrians of every origin. We hope this ends the state of division and puts Syria on the path of unity and progress."

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