Clashes subside in Hasakah, Ayn al-Arab as Syrian Army advances under ceasefire deal

Clashes that erupted on Monday in Syria’s Hasakah province and in areas south of Ayn al-Arab have largely subsided as of Tuesday morning, following the Syrian Army’s advance east of the Euphrates River under a recently announced ceasefire and integration agreement. According to Anadolu correspondents in the region, Syrian Army units are now deployed at several points around Hasakah, including near the city center, and have taken positions at the entrance of the town of Sirrin south of Ayn al-Arab.

Reinforcements and Consolidation of Positions

While intermittent clashes continued overnight, hostilities significantly decreased by early Tuesday. The Syrian Army is reportedly sending additional reinforcements to both regions to solidify its presence. Fighting also eased around the Aktan Prison north of Raqqa city center, where Syrian forces had been engaged with what Damascus describes as terrorist remnants of the former regime.

Context of the Ceasefire and Integration Agreement

The relative calm follows the announcement on Sunday by Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa of a comprehensive ceasefire and full integration agreement between the government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The deal stipulates the withdrawal of SDF military formations east of the Euphrates and the transfer of administrative and security control of Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor provinces to the Syrian state. It also outlines the integration of SDF personnel into state ministries and the handover of border crossings, oil fields, and civilian institutions.

Broader Implications for Northeast Syria

The ceasefire and subsequent military movements represent a pivotal step in Damascus’s efforts to reassert sovereignty over northeast Syria after years of fragmented control. Successful implementation could reduce violence in the short term but also involves complex challenges, including the vetting and integration of former SDF fighters and the management of ethnic and tribal dynamics in the region. The developments are being closely monitored by regional actors, including Türkiye, which views the YPG—the dominant force within the SDF—as a terrorist organization.