Syrian government, Kurdish forces sign ceasefire deal

After days of bloody fighting, the Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have signed a ceasefire agreement. According to the agreement, the SDF forces will withdraw from areas west of the Euphrates River and integrate into the Syrian army. The two sides signed the agreement on Sunday (January 18) under US mediation. President Ahmed al-Sharaa on behalf of the government and Mazloum Abdi on behalf of the SDF signed a comprehensive 14-point agreement.
According to the agreement, the SDF will be integrated into the central military forces. In addition, the SDF has agreed to withdraw from the Arab-majority provinces of Deir al-Zor and Raqqa. The two are scheduled to meet in the capital Damascus on Monday. They will then announce the details of the agreement. Later, a full peace agreement will be reached based on negotiations, which US mediators consider quite challenging.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said that the agreement will fully transfer administrative and military control of the provinces of al-Hasakah, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa to the government. Meanwhile, Jordan welcomed the ceasefire and full unification agreement. The country’s Foreign Ministry said that the agreement is an important step towards strengthening the unity, stability and security of Syria. On the same day, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa held a telephone conversation to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation.