The Syrian Defense Ministry announced a four-day ceasefire with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Tuesday evening. In a statement, the ministry said it would halt "all firing across all operational sectors of the Syrian Arab Army" as of 20.00 local time (1700GMT). The ceasefire "will remain in effect for four days from its date," in line with "the understandings announced by the Syrian state with the SDF" and "out of keenness to ensure the success of the national efforts being made," the ministry said. The SDF confirmed it had accepted the ceasefire and said it would not engage in any military action unless attacked. "We also affirm our openness to political paths, negotiated solutions, and dialogue, and our readiness to move forward with the implementation of the January 18 agreement in a manner that serves de-escalation and stability," the SDF said in a statement. The defense ministry said it had asked the SDF to provide the name of a candidate for the role of assistant to the defense minister in Damascus, as part of efforts to integrate the Kurds into the Syrian state. Meanwhile, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Masoud Barzani, the leader of northern Iraq's Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), discussed the latest developments in the region and ways to enhance stability and security during a phone call Tuesday. A statement by Syria's presidency said the two sides also agreed to continue coordination and joint consultations to ensure peace in the region and address differences in a way that serves the interests of all parties. During the call, Sharaa stressed that the full rights of Kurds are guaranteed, including national, political and civil rights, the statement said. Barzani expressed support for the agreement reached between the Syrian government and the SDF group, according to the statement. However, shortly after the ceasefire came into effect, the SDF claimed that government-allied groups were launching an attack, "using heavy weapons", on the village of Tal Baroud, along the Abyad road, south of Hasakah. According to the SDF's spokesperson Farhad Shami, the town of Zarkan has been "under intense artillery shelling" in recent hours by Damascus-affiliated factions. He said that government-allied forces have also attacked al-Aqtan Prison north of Raqqa, using five suicide drones and heavy gunfire. In the past few days, the Syrian government has rapidly advanced and seized territory held by the SDF, in the biggest success and change of control for President Sharaa after the fall of former leader Bashar al-Assad. Syria's Ministry of Interior said the army's forces have begun to take control of the al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria, home to thousands of ISIL (ISIS) fighters' families as well as other long-term refugees from the conflict. The SDF abandoned control of the camp earlier today. The SDF still retains control of Hasakah city, with a population of Kurds and Arabs, and the Kurdish-majority city of Qamishli. The Syrian government said its forces would not try to enter either of the cities during the ceasefire. Under intense military pressure, the SDF agreed to withdraw from two Arab-majority governorates it controlled for years, Raqqa and Deir Az Zor, the site of Syria's main oilfields. Syria's ambassador to the United Nations, Ibrahim Olabi, told reporters that the government hope the ceasefire agreement holds. "We're working with our partners at the United States to make sure that it holds," Olabi said.— Agencies
