Syria's government has announced a new ceasefire with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), following the militia's withdrawal from the Al-Hol camp, which holds thousands of people with alleged ties to the jihadist group Islamic State (IS).
The SDF stated it was 'compelled' to leave the Al-Hol camp and redeploy to other cities in north-east Syria due to the international community's lack of attention to the IS issue.
The interior ministry of Syria voiced concerns over the withdrawal, claiming it was executed without coordination with the government or the US-led coalition against IS.
In response, Syria’s presidency expressed that it reached an 'understanding' with the SDF about the future of Hassakeh province, which has a significant Kurdish population.
A statement indicated that the SDF would have four days for consultations on plans for peaceful integration of its controlled areas into the Syrian state.
The agreement also stipulates that government forces will refrain from entering Hassakeh and Qamishli cities, as well as any Kurdish villages.
The SDF has assured its 'full commitment' to the ceasefire and will refrain from military actions unless provoked.
This agreement signifies a blow to the SDF, which had previously resisted relinquishing the autonomy achieved during its collaboration with US-led forces to defeat IS during the lengthy Syrian civil war.
Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who claims to reunify Syria since leading an offensive to oust Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, faces a country still fragmented by sectarian violence.
The Syrian government has recognized that the SDF is under pressure due to its withdrawal from Al-Hol, while vowing to maintain stability and security by reclaiming control over the camp housing around 20,000 individuals with alleged links to IS.
Previously, the SDF held about 8,000 suspected IS members in various prisons in north-eastern Syria, amidst calls for the international community to repatriate foreign detainees.
With concerns over humanitarian conditions in the camps and prisons, the US has been monitoring developments in Syria and urged all parties to exercise restraint to protect civilians belonging to all minority groups.
Sharaa's administration aims to end the division within Syria and promote unity, though the SDF maintains defensive positions in predominantly Kurdish areas in response to increasing threats.
