Syrian government and Kurdish forces reach deal on permanent truce

"The Syrian government and Kurdish-led forces have reached an agreement to extend a fragile ceasefire into a permanent truce, laying a framework for integrating Kurdish forces into the state and ending nearly a month of fighting. The agreement on Friday appeared to resolve escalating tensions between the two sides over the question of Kurdish autonomy in north-east Syria and paved a way for the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to join Syria's new army through negotiations, rather than battle."

"It also was a milestone for Damascus, which has sought to extend its control over the entirety of Syria's territory, which for 14-years was carved up by competing militias and powers. The SDF had previously controlled about a quarter of the country and all of its main oilfields, constituting a significant challenge to the fledgling state's rule. It came after Syrian government forces swept through north-east Syria, aided by the Arab and tribal elements, shrinking the territory controlled by the SDF by about 80%."

Syrian government and Kurdish-led forces converted a fragile ceasefire into a permanent truce that creates a framework to integrate Kurdish fighters into state structures. The arrangement allows the Syrian Democratic Forces to join the national army through negotiations rather than continued fighting. Syrian government forces regained large swathes of north-east Syria, reducing SDF-held territory by about 80%, after sweeping operations aided by Arab and tribal elements. The SDF withdrew from many Arab-majority areas while preparing to defend Kurdish-majority cities. Under the deal both sides will pull back fighters, government security forces will enter Hasakah and Qamishli, the state will absorb Kurdish civilian institutions, and a new military brigade will include three SDF brigades.

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