Turkey’s Erdogan Stresses Syria’s Territorial Integrity as Syrian Army Expands Deployment

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Syria’s sovereignty over its entire territory is indispensable for regional stability, amid rapidly evolving security developments inside the country.

His remarks came as the Syrian army announced the imposition of a full curfew in the city of Al-Shaddadi, while continuing to deploy forces across the Al-Jazira region in northeastern Syria.

The security situation in Syria has relatively calmed following intense clashes on both sides of the Euphrates River over the past two days. The Syrian army said it had completed securing the Tishreen Dam in the Aleppo countryside, as well as northern Raqqa and western Hasakah, coinciding with the beginning of the withdrawal of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) units from the area.

These developments followed the signing of a ceasefire agreement between Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa and the SDF, aimed at ending hostilities and restoring state authority in northern and northeastern Syria.

Under the agreement, an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire was declared across all fronts and contact lines, alongside the full withdrawal of SDF formations to the east of the Euphrates River. The deal also provides for the full administrative and military handover of Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa provinces to the Syrian government, and the individual integration of SDF military and security personnel into the structures of the Syrian Ministries of Defense and Interior.

The agreement further includes the transfer of control over border crossings and oil and gas fields to the Syrian government, with regular forces tasked with securing them. It also affirms guarantees for Kurdish rights and enhanced counterterrorism efforts with broad regional and international support.

President Al-Sharaa said the agreement marks Syria’s transition from division to unity and progress, describing it as a key opportunity to enhance security and combat ISIS.

SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi said the decision to integrate with the Syrian state was taken to halt bloodshed, stressing that the conflict had been imposed on SDF forces. He added that the withdrawal from Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa aimed to prevent further violence and avert civil war.

The U.S. special envoy to Syria welcomed the ceasefire agreement, calling it a turning point that replaces division with partnership and paves the way for dialogue and cooperation toward a unified Syria.