DAMASCUS: Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa introduced Sunday (Jan 18) an settlement with the chief of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazloum Abdi, that features a ceasefire after authorities forces superior in Kurdish-held areas of the north and east.
The USA, which for years has supported Syrian Kurdish fighters however is now additionally a key ally of Damascus, welcomed the deal, with envoy Tom Barrack calling it “a pivotal inflection level” and commending each side’ “constructive efforts”.
After assembly Barrack in Damascus, Sharaa advised reporters: “I like to recommend an entire ceasefire”. He mentioned a gathering with Abdi was postponed till Monday as a result of poor climate, however that “with a purpose to calm the scenario, we determined to signal the settlement”.
Particulars are to be finalised on Monday, he mentioned, including that the deal was primarily based on “the spirit” of an settlement signed in March.
He urged Arab tribes who make up nearly all of the inhabitants in Kurdish-held Raqa and Deir Ezzor provinces in Syria’s north and east, “to keep up calm… with a purpose to pave the way in which for the gradual implementation of the settlement’s provisions till we attain full calm in Syria”.
He expressed hope that the deal can be “a great begin” for growth and reconstruction and “an opportunity for safety and stability” and “that Syria ends its present state of division and strikes in direction of a state of unity and progress”.
