Syrian government, Kurdish forces agree immediate ceasefire

The Syrian government and the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) agreed on an immediate and comprehensive ‍ceasefire on all fronts on Sunday after days of fighting ‍as the army advanced into Kurdish-held territories in the northeast.

The ceasefire will be in parallel with the withdrawal of all SDF affiliated forces to the east of the Euphrates River, according to a document published by the Syrian Presidency late ‌on Sunday.

The deal entails merging all SDF forces into ‍the defence and interior ministries after conducting required security checks, the statement said.

The government will also immediately and completely take over ​the Kurdish-held provinces of Deir Al Zor and Raqqa militarily and administratively.

President Ahmed Al Sharaa signs an agreement at the Presidential Palace in Damascus on Sunday. AFP

All border crossings, and gas and oil fields in the area, will ​also ‍be handed over to the Syrian government.

The SDF will ‌be committed to evacuating all non-Syrian leaders and forces affiliated to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) outside of the country.

The document, ​shared by the ‌Syrian presidency, showed the signatures of both Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and SDF head Mazloum Abdi.

"All lingering files with the SDF will be resolved," state media quoted Sharaa as ‌saying. He said he was set to meet Abdi on Monday.

Earlier, Syrian government forces entered the city of Raqqa in its ongoing push in areas held by Kurdish-led forces in eastern Syria.

The military push into the city deep into eastern Syria came after tensions between Damascus and the US-backed Kurdish-led Syrian SDF, flared up earlier this month, leading to deadly clashes and the government taking control of three Aleppo neighborhoods from Kurdish fighters. The SDF is also losing ground in Deir Al Zour province.

The SDF didn't immediately comment on the Raqqa developments, but earlier said its forces prevented attacks by the Islamic State group in some neighborhoods in the city.

An Associated Press reporter in the area said that large military convoys swept into the city and were greeted by residents. It appeared that the SDF had withdrawn.

Members of the Kurdish Internal Security Forces known as "Asayish," and residents rally during a demonstration in Qamishli on Sunday. AFP

Earlier, the military seized Tabqa in the province of Raqqa, which is viewed as critical because of a dam that controls the southward flow of the Euphrates River, and is also home to an air base. The government took control of oil fields in the province.

US envoy Tom Barrack met with Syrian President Al Sharaa in Damascus. Washington's efforts to bring about calm between both sides, their key allies in Syria, have thus far been unsuccessful.

France's President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday he had spoken to Sharaa to express his concern about the ongoing government offensive against Western-backed Kurdish-led forces.

Macron, whose country has been part of mediation efforts between Damascus and the Kurds, said on Saturday that the offensive needed to stop.

The Syrian army has pressed on into predominantly Arab-populated areas of northeast Syria ‌controlled by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), despite US calls to halt its advance.

Agencies