Syrian Army and Kurdish Forces Agree to Extended Ceasefire Period

Syria Extends Ceasefire Agreement for 15 Days

The Syrian Ministry of Defence announced on Saturday that a ceasefire agreement between the country’s military and Kurdish-led forces has been extended for an additional 15 days. The extension began at 11pm local time (20:00 GMT) and aims to support a United States operation to transfer ISIL prisoners from detention facilities previously controlled by the SDF.

The SDF also confirmed the extension, stating that it contributes to de-escalation, protection of civilians, and creation of conditions for stability. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa signed a deal with the SDF in March last year to integrate the group into state institutions following the fall of longtime leader Bashar al-Assad. However, the plan has faltered amid disagreements between the two sides.

Earlier this week, Damascus announced a four-day truce to halt fighting that saw Syrian government forces rapidly advance and seize territory previously held by the SDF. The ceasefire was announced on Tuesday, giving the SDF until Saturday night to come up with a plan to integrate with Syria’s army.

The US military has been involved in transferring ISIL-linked detainees from Syria to Iraq, with as many as 7,000 people expected to be transferred to Iraqi-controlled facilities. The US and regional partners are working together to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS.

US Admiral Brad Cooper stated that the US is closely coordinating with regional partners to achieve this goal.

Source: Al Jazeera