Saudi Arabia Backs Syria–SDF Accord Covering Forces, Territory and Resources
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Monday welcomed an agreement reached between the Syrian state and the Syrian Democratic Forces, saying the deal could help stabilize the situation and restore state authority in key parts of the country.
In a statement issued early Monday, the Saudi foreign ministry said the Kingdom had welcomed the agreement announced by Damascus a day earlier. According to an international media report, the deal outlines a framework for ending hostilities and restructuring security arrangements in northern and eastern Syria.
Under the 14-point agreement, all SDF forces are to be merged into Syria’s defense and interior ministries, while Kurdish forces will redeploy to areas east of the Euphrates River. The deal also provides for the immediate administrative and military handover of Deir Ezzor and Raqqa governorates to the Syrian state.
The agreement would allow Damascus to regain control of all border crossings, oil fields and gas fields in the region, with regular forces tasked with securing these sites to ensure the return of resources to the central government, while taking into account the special situation of Kurdish areas.
The ceasefire follows intense fighting between SDF units and government troops in Aleppo, after which SDF forces pulled back and the Syrian army took control of most areas east of the city.
The Saudi foreign ministry statement also thanked the United States for its role in supporting the agreement. Washington is believed to have backed efforts to broker the ceasefire between the SDF and the Syrian government, which it has also supported diplomatically since the fall of former president Bashar Assad.
The Syrian state has also announced new directives recognizing Syrian Kurds, including steps to make their language official and strengthen other rights for the minority community.
