Damascus and SDF Announce Comprehensive Ceasefire

30 January 2026, 11:10 AM

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توم باراك يعتبر الاتفاق بين دمشق وقسد محطة تاريخية في سوريا - Tom Barrack considers the agreement between Damascus and the SDF a historic milestone in Syria. — Ambassador Tom Barrack, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Statements by U.S. Envoy Barrack on the Damascus and SDF Agreement

The U.S. envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, confirmed that the simultaneous announcement by the Syrian government and the “Syrian Democratic Forces” regarding the comprehensive agreement and ceasefire represents, in his description, a historic milestone in Syria’s path toward national reconciliation, unity, and stability.

Barrack stated that the agreement, negotiated based on previous frameworks and recent efforts to reduce tensions, reflects a joint commitment to participation and mutual respect among Syrian societal components.

Barrack on the Dimensions of the Agreement

The U.S. envoy noted that the agreement, from his perspective, demonstrates the Syrian government’s commitment to national partnership and inclusive governance by facilitating the integration of military, security, and administrative structures within state institutions, while allowing representatives of the SDF to participate at senior levels.

He added that measures associated with Presidential Decree No. 13, including issues related to citizenship and cultural and linguistic rights, address longstanding demands, emphasizing that these developments could contribute to rebuilding institutions, enhancing stability, and attracting investment.

Barrack considers the Damascus-SDF agreement an opportunity for national partnership among Syrians. — Ambassador Tom Barrack, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Damascus on the Announced Understandings with the SDF

A Syrian government source said that the agreement with the “Syrian Democratic Forces” includes a comprehensive ceasefire and an understanding for a phased integration of military forces and administrative personnel from both sides.

The source explained that the understanding involves the withdrawal of forces from contact points and the entry of security forces under the Ministry of Interior into the centers of Al-Hasakah and Qamishli to enhance stability. It also includes the integration of Autonomous Administration institutions into state institutions, the retention of civil employees, settlement of civil and educational rights, and ensuring the return of displaced persons.

State institutions — Hani Zaitoun, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Comment from the Autonomous Administration

The co-chair of the Foreign Relations Office in the Autonomous Administration, Ilham Ahmed, said the agreement represents an important step toward stability, noting that the security presence aims to ensure a responsible and gradual integration process that preserves partnership and the dignity of all components.

She affirmed the Autonomous Administration’s commitment to successfully implementing the integration process in a manner that serves Syria’s unity and strengthens civil peace.

Autonomous Administration – Damascus and the SDF — Martin Jalali, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Features of the Agreement and Security Zone

According to announcements, the agreement includes initiating the integration of security forces and forming a military division comprising three brigades from the SDF, in addition to forming a brigade from Kobani (Ayn al-Arab) within a division under Aleppo Governorate.

In a related development, the Syrian army issued a circular defining a closed security zone near al-Hol camp. This measure follows the ceasefire announcement and the integration-related understandings, within a process aimed at expanding state control over all Syrian territories and enhancing stability.