Kurdish forces have withdrawn from the largest oilfield in Syria as the Syrian government announced a ceasefire deal with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) that could lead to normalization in the Middle Eastern country torn apart by more than a decade of civil war.
Following days of intense fighting as Syrian government forces advanced to the northeast and captured key oilfields, Syria on Sunday announced an immediate ceasefire with the U.S.-backed SDF.
As part of the comprehensive ceasefire agreement, the SDF will be integrated into Syria’s military and state institutions.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said that the agreement would allow Syrian state institutions to reassert control over al-Hasakah, Deir Ezzor, and Raqqa, three eastern and northern governorates that were held by Kurdish-led forces until now.
During the 14 years of civil war, the oilfields in Syria, which are predominantly located in these northeastern areas, have changed hands several times.
“Hopefully Syria will end its state of division and move to a state of unity and progress,” al-Sharaa told reporters in Damascus after signing the agreement.
The United States commends the ceasefire agreement, which is “paving the way for renewed dialogue and cooperation toward a unified Syria,” Tom Barrack, U.S. Ambassador to the Turkey and Special Envoy for Syria, said.
“President al-Sharaa has affirmed that the Kurds are an integral part of Syria, and the United States looks forward to the seamless integration of our historic partner in the fight against ISIS with the Global Coalition’s newest member, as we press forward in the enduring battle against terrorism,” Barrack added.
“This agreement and ceasefire represent a pivotal inflection point, where former adversaries embrace partnership over division,” the U.S. envoy noted.
Turkey, a staunch supporter of Syrian President al-Sharaa, also praised the deal, seeing it as a “historic turning point,” Turkish security sources told Reuters on Monday.
By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com
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