Syria Reaches Ceasefire Deal to Reunify After Decade Apart

After more than a decade of separation, Syria is taking its biggest step toward unity since the civil war began.

On Sunday, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa signed a ceasefire agreement with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, ending tensions that had escalated into clashes earlier this month. The deal promises to merge the two sides and reunify a nation that's been fractured for years.

The agreement came together quickly after Syrian government forces pushed into territories controlled by the SDF in the country's northeast. Rather than continue fighting, both sides chose dialogue. SDF leader Mazloum Abdi joined negotiations by phone due to bad weather and is expected to visit Damascus on Monday to finalize details.

"It's a victory for all Syrians of all backgrounds," President al-Sharaa told journalists after signing. "Hopefully Syria will end its state of division and moves to a state of unity and progress."

The deal includes integrating SDF fighters into Syria's national military and security forces. Senior Kurdish military and civilian leaders will receive high-ranking positions in government institutions, ensuring representation as the country rebuilds.

Control of critical infrastructure including oil and gas fields, river dams along the Euphrates, and border crossings will transfer to the unified Syrian government. The Kurdish-led agencies managing prisons holding Islamic State fighters will also hand over operations to Damascus.

U.S. Envoy Tom Barrack, who met with President al-Sharaa on Sunday and spoke with Abdi by phone, praised the breakthrough. "This agreement and ceasefire represent a pivotal inflection point, where former adversaries embrace partnership over division," he said.

The Ripple Effect

This reunification matters far beyond Syria's borders. A unified Syria means greater stability in a region that's suffered decades of conflict. The peaceful integration of Kurdish forces demonstrates that former enemies can choose cooperation over continued fighting.

For ordinary Syrians who've lived through years of war and division, the agreement offers hope for a normal future. Residents in Raqqa welcomed Syrian military convoys as they entered the city, signaling public support for reunification.

The deal also strengthens protections for Kurdish rights through a recent presidential decree, showing that unity doesn't require anyone to give up their identity. Implementation will happen gradually, beginning immediately with the cessation of hostilities.

Syria's new leaders, who came to power in December 2024, faced their first major test in bringing the country together. They chose negotiation and inclusion over force, setting a hopeful precedent for addressing other challenges ahead.

A nation divided for over a decade is choosing to write a new chapter together.