A ceasefire agreement has been reached between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Turkish-backed jihadist groups in the northern Syrian town of Manbij (Minbîc), SDF General Commander Mazloum Abdi announced on Wednesday. The US-brokered deal aims to halt ongoing clashes that have endangered civilians and maintain stability in the embattled region.
“As our fighters in Manbij continue to resist attacks from west of the Euphrates, we have reached a ceasefire agreement […] to ensure the safety of civilians,” Abdi said.
Fighters from Manbij Military Council, a local security force aligned to the SDF who have been resisting attacks in the town since 27 November, would withdraw from the area as part of the agreement, he added. The US’s mediation role illustrates the strength of the allegiance between the SDF and US forces in the region. Under Abdi’s leadership, the SDF has played a pivotal role in the fight against ISIS, working closely with the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is due to travel to Turkey later this week to discuss the situation in Syria, including a possible broader agreement to halt the fighting. The visit underlines Washington’s continued diplomatic engagement in the conflict. Just hours before the ceasefire was announced, General Erik Kurilla, the top US commander in the Middle East, visited US troops and SDF personnel in Syria. The US military reported that Kurilla was seeking a ‘first-hand assessment’ of force protection measures on the ground and efforts to prevent a resurgence of ISIS amid the instability.
The ceasefire comes after days of intense clashes in Manbij, a strategically important area in northern Syria. The SDF has previously come under pressure from both Turkey and Turkish-backed militants seeking to limit Kurdish influence along their borders. The newly announced agreement suggests a desire by all parties, backed by US diplomacy, to avoid further escalation and potential civilian harm.
The announcement also follows soon after statements put out by US Defence secretary Lloyd Austin and Senator Lindsey Graham on X, formerly Twitter, voicing serious concerns about Turkey’s military activities in northern Syria.
US officials have repeatedly stressed the importance of maintaining pressure on ISIS remnants in Syria, to ensure extremist groups do not exploit local unrest. While the ceasefire is currently focused on Manbij, both Syrian Kurdish leaders and US diplomats have expressed hope that the agreement could pave the way for a broader political solution.
The immediate concern will be to ensure that all parties abide by the terms of the ceasefire. With Secretary Blinken’s planned visit to Turkey, further negotiations and possible additional agreements relating to the wider Syrian territory may be on the horizon.
