Syria's President Ahmad al-Sharaa signs an agreement at the Presidential Palace in Damascus on Jan. 18, 2026. (Credit: Rami al-Sayed/AFP)
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa on Sunday announced an agreement with the chief of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazloum Abdi, that includes a cease-fire after government forces advanced in Kurdish-held areas of the north and east.
After meeting U.S. envoy Tom Barrack, Sharaa told reporters at Damascus's presidential palace that "I recommend a complete cease-fire," adding that a meeting with Abdi was postponed until Monday due to poor weather but that "in order to calm the situation, we decided to sign the agreement."
The presidency published the text of the signed, 14-point deal, which includes integrating the SDF and Kurdish security forces into the defense and interior ministries, the immediate handover of Kurdish-run Deir al-Zor and Raqa provinces to the government, and for Damascus to take responsibility for Islamic State group prisoners and their families held in Kurdish-run jails and camps.
Following the announcement U.S. envoy Tom Barrack welcomed the deal on X, writing:
"This agreement and cease-fire represent a pivotal inflection point, where former adversaries embrace partnership over division."
The envoy met Sharaa in Damascus on Sunday and Abdi a day earlier in Iraq's Erbil.
