The Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have officially agreed to an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire across all fronts, coupled with a significant integration deal, effective January 18, 2026. This landmark agreement follows intense recent clashes and a prior stalled attempt at integration in March 2025. Key provisions of the deal stipulate the full withdrawal of all SDF-affiliated military formations to areas east of the Euphrates River, serving as a preliminary step for their redeployment. Critically, the agreement mandates the immediate and complete administrative and military handover of the strategically vital Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa governorates to the Syrian government, including all civil institutions and facilities. Furthermore, civilian institutions in the Hasakah Governorate are also set to be integrated into Syrian state structures. Under the terms, the Syrian government will assume full control over all border crossings, as well as the oil and gas fields within the region, ensuring their protection by regular forces and the return of revenues to the Syrian state. A major concession by the SDF is the integration of its military and security personnel individually into the structures of the Syrian Ministries of Defense and Interior, following necessary security vetting, rather than as a unified bloc. The SDF has also committed to expelling all non-Syrian leaders and members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) from Syrian territory to safeguard sovereignty and regional stability. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa signed the agreement, with SDF leader Mazloum Abdi's signature also appearing on the document, reportedly after he joined the meeting remotely. The United States has welcomed the ceasefire, with Special Envoy Tom Barrack praising the constructive efforts towards a unified Syria. This development marks a significant step towards consolidating authority across Syria following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December 2024.