Syrian government, US-backed Kurdish forces agree immediate ceasefire

Syrian government, US-backed Kurdish forces agree immediate ceasefire

By Mahmoud Hasano and Khalil Ashawi and Jaidaa Taha

Sun, January 18, 2026 at 4:58 PM UTC

1 min read

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Military personnel stand at the crossing connecting the two banks of the Euphrates River, as others attempt to cross to the other side after the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) withdrew from Deir al-Zor province and the Syrian army took full control over the area, in Deir al-Zor, Syria, January 18, 2026. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi

Members of the Syrian army are deployed inside the city of Tabqa after the withdrawal of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in Tabqa, Syria, January 18, 2026. REUTERS/Karam al-Masri

A group of civilians and military personnel gather at the crossing connecting the two banks of the Euphrates River, as they attempt to cross to the other side after the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) withdrew from Deir al-Zor province and the Syrian army took full control over the area, in Deir al-Zor, Syria, January 18, 2026. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi

Syrian army personnel look on from a military vehicle deployed inside the city of Tabqa, after the withdrawal of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in Tabqa, Syria, January 18, 2026. REUTERS/Karam al-Masri

A drone view shows the Euphrates Dam after the Syrian army took control of it, following the withdrawal of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in Tabqa, Syria, January 18, 2026. REUTERS/Karam al-Masri

Syrian army fighters inside the Euphrates Dam in the city of Tabqa after the Syrian army took control of it, and withdrawal of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in Tabqa, Syria, January 18, 2026. REUTERS/Karam al-Masri

Civilians sit in a vehicle as they flee Tabqa after clashes between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian army, in Hasakah, Syria, January 18, 2026. REUTERS/Orhan Qereman

The Syrian army takes full control of Deir al-Zor province after the withdrawal of the Syrian Democratic Forces

Military personnel stand at the crossing connecting the two banks of the Euphrates River, as others attempt to cross to the other side after the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) withdrew from Deir al-Zor province and the Syrian army took full control over the area, in Deir al-Zor, Syria, January 18, 2026. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi

By Mahmoud Hasano and Khalil Ashawi and Jaidaa Taha

TABQA, Jan 18 (Reuters) - The Syrian government and the U.S.-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 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.

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.

(Reporting by Damascus team, Jaidaa Taha and Ahmed Tolba; Writing by ‌Suleiman al Khalidi and Jaidaa Taha; Editing by ‌Jane Merriman and David Holmes)

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