The Syrian Ministry of Defense announced a four-day ceasefire in all military areas as part of efforts to ease tensions with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The Syrian Presidency also announced understandings with the SDF regarding the future of Hassakeh and mechanisms for administrative and military integration.
According to the agreement, the SDF has been granted four days to prepare a plan for integrating the regions. If a final agreement is reached, government forces will not enter the centers of Hassakeh and Qamishli but will remain on their outskirts.
The Ministry of Defense stated on Tuesday evening:
“We announce the cessation of fire in all sectors of operations of the Syrian Arab Army, effective from 20:00 this Tuesday evening.”
The ministry added:
“This decision will remain in effect for four days from its issuance, in line with the understandings announced by the Syrian state with the SDF, and in order to ensure the success of national efforts being made.”
Earlier Tuesday evening, the Syrian Presidency announced that a mutual understanding had been reached between Damascus and the SDF on several issues related to the future of Hassakeh province and mechanisms for administrative and military integration.
According to the presidential statement, the SDF was given a four-day period for consultation to prepare a detailed plan for the practical integration of the regions.
The statement clarified that if a final agreement is reached, Syrian forces will not enter the centers of Hassakeh and Qamishli but will remain on their outskirts. Later, the timetable and details of the peaceful integration process for Hassakeh province, including Qamishli city, will be discussed.
The Presidency confirmed that the understanding stipulates Syrian military forces will not enter Kurdish villages, and no armed forces will be present there except for local security forces composed of residents of the area, as agreed upon by both sides.
This development comes after several days of bloody clashes between government forces and the SDF, along with military operations in Kurdish-majority areas of northeastern Syria, before the announcement this evening of understandings between the two sides.