Syria and Kurdish SDF Sign Immediate Ceasefire Deal After Weeks of Fierce Fighting

DOHA — Syria’s central government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have signed a far-reaching ceasefire agreement aimed at ending weeks of intense fighting in Aleppo and other parts of northern Syria, a development that could significantly alter the country’s internal balance of power and military structure.

The agreement was signed by Syrian President Ahmed Sharaa and Mazloum Abdi, the leader of the Syrian Democratic Forces, marking one of the most consequential political and military arrangements between Damascus and Kurdish forces since the outbreak of the Syrian conflict.

According to the agreement, the parties committed to an immediate cessation of hostilities across all areas of engagement. “A complete and immediate ceasefire on all fronts and lines of contact between the Syrian armed forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces,” the agreement read, according to the SANA news agency.

The ceasefire follows weeks of intense fighting in Aleppo and other parts of northern Syria, where confrontations between government forces and SDF units had raised fears of a broader escalation that could destabilize large swathes of the country.

Beyond halting combat operations, the agreement lays out a detailed framework for redeployment, military integration, and administrative restructuring. One of the central provisions calls for “the withdrawal of Kurdish forces to the eastern bank of the Euphrates as part of a plan for their further redeployment.”

This redeployment marks a critical shift in territorial control, particularly in contested regions that have long served as flashpoints between Damascus and Kurdish forces, whose role has remained a central issue in regional security debates.

Under the agreement, the SDF will hand over control of oil and gas fields in the country’s northeast, as well as border crossings, to the central authorities, a move analysts describe as pivotal to Syria’s post-war economic recovery and political consolidation.

Control over oil and gas infrastructure has long been a central source of leverage in Syria’s internal conflict. The transfer of these assets to Damascus strengthens the government’s negotiating position, echoing broader regional discussions on resource sovereignty reported by the Financial Times.

The agreement further outlines a comprehensive plan to integrate SDF fighters into the Syrian army and central security agencies, where they will be granted military ranks, financial benefits and material and technical support, a process widely seen as a test case for long-term military integration.

Efforts to dissolve parallel armed structures and fold former rival forces into national institutions have been closely followed internationally, including by the Associated Press, which has documented similar reconciliation attempts across the region.

At the same time, Sharaa and Abdi agreed that Kurds from the SDF will hold leadership positions in state institutions, the army, and security structures, a political concession aimed at easing long-standing concerns over representation and governance.

The deal further guarantees protection for the Kurdish regions, addressing fears of marginalization that have fueled instability for years. Analysts say the arrangement reflects a pragmatic convergence of interests driven by battlefield realities and shifting geopolitical calculations.

The recent fighting in Aleppo and other parts of northern Syria had underscored the risks of prolonged confrontation, particularly along key lines of contact that had become increasingly volatile, as noted in earlier reporting by Reuters.

For Damascus, the agreement offers a path to restoring sovereign control over borders, resources, and security structures without escalating military conflict. For the Syrian Democratic Forces, it provides institutional legitimacy, security guarantees, and political inclusion at a critical juncture.

The ceasefire also carries implications beyond Syria’s borders, as regional actors continue to monitor how Kurdish forces are reintegrated into the Syrian state. Similar dynamics have been explored in depth by Le Monde in its coverage of Aleppo’s evolving political landscape.

Despite the agreement’s breadth, implementation challenges remain. Integrating fighters, transferring strategic assets, and ensuring durable protection for Kurdish regions will require sustained political coordination and oversight.

For civilians in northern Syria, the ceasefire offers cautious hope after weeks of instability. Residents affected by the fighting have endured displacement and economic disruption, and the halt in hostilities may allow humanitarian access and gradual normalization.

The agreement also unfolds against a broader backdrop of security concerns, including threats posed by extremist remnants held in detention facilities, a risk previously examined in reporting on Syrian prisons.

The evolving role of Kurdish forces has long shaped regional politics, intersecting with developments in neighboring states and Turkey’s domestic dynamics, as analyzed in earlier coverage of Kurdish political movements.

As Syria continues its long recovery from years of war, the ceasefire agreement between President Ahmed Sharaa and Mazloum Abdi stands as one of the most significant attempts yet to redefine the country’s internal order.

Whether the deal leads to lasting stability or becomes another fragile truce will depend on the political will of both sides. For now, the guns have fallen silent, and Syria enters a new phase shaped by negotiation, integration, and guarded optimism.