Syria and Kurdish forces agree to ceasefire

Syrian Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander General Mazloum Abdi agreed on Tuesday to a comprehensive ceasefire on all fronts in the north and northeast of the country, the Defense Ministry said. The agreement takes effect immediately.

Tensions had escalated following recent clashes between the two sides, which overshadowed a groundbreaking agreement reached in March. The agreement was intended to enable the integration of Kurdish units and regional self-governments into state institutions under the leadership of the new Islamist-led government in Damascus. The goal was to reunite the country, which had been torn apart by 14 years of civil war.

(reuters, lud)