France welcomes Syria-YPG integration deal, vows support for full implementation

ISTANBUL

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday welcomed a deal reached between the Syrian government and the YPG terror group, operating under the name Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and pledged France’s support for its full implementation.

"I congratulate (Syrian) President Ahmed al-Sharaa and (SDF head) General Mazloum Abdi for having signed this morning a comprehensive agreement allowing a permanent ceasefire and the peaceful integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces within it. France will support its full implementation," Macron wrote on US social media company X.

He said France would continue to support Syria and the Syrian people on the path toward stability, justice, and reconstruction, in coordination with its partners.

"A sovereign, united and stable Syria. A Syria at peace and respectful of all its components. A Syria fully committed to the fight against terrorism. This is what France supports," Macron added.

The Syrian government and the terrorist organization YPG on Friday reached a new comprehensive agreement that includes a ceasefire and a framework for the group’s gradual integration into military and administrative structures.

The Syrian Army launched an operation against the YPG on Jan. 16 in areas west of the Euphrates River. The operation later expanded east of the river with the participation of tribal forces, leading to most of the territories previously occupied by the group coming under government control.

A previous ceasefire and full integration agreement reached on Jan. 18 between Damascus and the YPG included provisions for the group’s full withdrawal from the eastern provinces of Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor, the transfer of public institutions in Hasakah to state authority, the placement of all border crossings and energy resources under central government control, and the individual integration of YPG elements into security forces.

Clashes resumed on Jan. 19 after the YPG refused to comply with the agreement. The Syrian government announced on Jan. 20 that it had declared a ceasefire and granted the group four days to proceed with integration.