Syria gives Kurds 4 days to accept integration as US signals end of support
The government announced a new truce after seizing swathes of territory from the Syrian Democratic Forces
Syria on Tuesday announced a ceasefire with Kurdish forces it has seized swathes of territory from in the northeast and gave them four days to agree on integrating into the central state, which their main ally, the United States, urged them to accept.
The lightning government advances in recent days and the apparent withdrawal of US support for the continued holding of territory by the Syrian Democratic Forces represent the biggest change of control in the country since rebels ousted Bashar al-Assad 13 months ago.
US envoy Tom Barrack in a social media post described the offer of integration into the central Syrian state with citizenship rights, cultural protections and political participation as the “greatest opportunity” the Kurds have.
He added that the original purpose of the SDF, which Washington had supported as its main local ally battling Islamic State, had largely expired, and that the US had no long-term interest in retaining its presence in Syria.
Speaking at a news conference in Washington, US President Donald Trump appeared to back Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, saying he was “working very hard” and had discussed with him the issue of facilities where detained Isis fighters were held in northeastern Syria. Trump added that Washington was also “trying to protect the Kurds”.