US Envoy Urges Syria Ceasefire Hold as Tensions Rise
In a recent meeting with the commander-in-chief of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Mazloum Abdi, US envoy Tom Barrack called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Syria's north, stressing its "essential" nature. The diplomatic push comes amid growing tensions between the SDF and the Syrian government over integration into state institutions.
According to a statement released by Barrack on social media platform X, all parties agreed that upholding the current truce was crucial for fostering trust and lasting stability. However, recent clashes between the two sides have sparked accusations of ceasefire breaches, further complicating the situation.
Barrack also renewed US backing for an agreement signed on January 18 between the Syrian government and the SDF to integrate Kurdish-led forces into state institutions as part of President Ahmed al-Sharaa's bid to unify Syria. However, disagreements over integration had led to conflict, with Syrian government forces attacking numerous SDF-held areas.
As a result, territories seized by the government now include some of Syria's biggest oilfields and agricultural land, along with jails holding 150 ISIL (ISIS) prisoners who have already been transferred to Iraq for prosecution. The Iraqi government has announced plans to initiate legal proceedings against the remaining prisoners.
The meeting between Barrack and Abdi came as the SDF appears to have lost leverage following US President Donald Trump's strengthening ties with al-Sharaa. According to Al Jazeera, the SDF's role in countering ISIL has "largely expired," as Damascus steps up its efforts to consolidate power.
In a recent meeting with the commander-in-chief of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Mazloum Abdi, US envoy Tom Barrack called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Syria's north, stressing its "essential" nature. The diplomatic push comes amid growing tensions between the SDF and the Syrian government over integration into state institutions.
According to a statement released by Barrack on social media platform X, all parties agreed that upholding the current truce was crucial for fostering trust and lasting stability. However, recent clashes between the two sides have sparked accusations of ceasefire breaches, further complicating the situation.
Barrack also renewed US backing for an agreement signed on January 18 between the Syrian government and the SDF to integrate Kurdish-led forces into state institutions as part of President Ahmed al-Sharaa's bid to unify Syria. However, disagreements over integration had led to conflict, with Syrian government forces attacking numerous SDF-held areas.
As a result, territories seized by the government now include some of Syria's biggest oilfields and agricultural land, along with jails holding 150 ISIL (ISIS) prisoners who have already been transferred to Iraq for prosecution. The Iraqi government has announced plans to initiate legal proceedings against the remaining prisoners.
The meeting between Barrack and Abdi came as the SDF appears to have lost leverage following US President Donald Trump's strengthening ties with al-Sharaa. According to Al Jazeera, the SDF's role in countering ISIL has "largely expired," as Damascus steps up its efforts to consolidate power.