AFP says Syrian government, SDF agree to extend ceasefire, government source denies
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported on Saturday, citing three sources, that the Syrian transitional government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have agreed to extend a ceasefire set to expire later today.
No official announcement has yet been made by either side regarding the extension. However, two sources told AFP that the ceasefire would be extended for up to one month.
A diplomatic source in Damascus told AFP that the ceasefire extension could last for a period of up to one month.
Separately, a Syrian government source said the agreement would most likely be extended for a month, noting that the completion of the transfer of Islamic State (ISIS) detainees was one of the reasons behind the extension.
On Wednesday, a group of 150 ISIS members, including senior figures and European nationals, was transferred from a prison in Hasakah to Iraq, according to two Iraqi officials who spoke on Friday.
A Kurdish source familiar with the negotiations told AFP that the ceasefire would be extended until a political solution satisfactory to both sides is reached.
The source added that the SDF had submitted a proposal to the Syrian government through U.S. mediator Tom Barrack as part of consultations on the future of Kurdish institutions. The proposal reportedly suggests that the Syrian government take over the management of crossings and borders in a way that ensures security and stability in the region.
According to the source, the SDF has also nominated a candidate for the post of deputy defense minister and plans to submit a list of parliamentary candidates.
Meanwhile, a source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates told Syria’s state-run news agency SANA that what is being circulated regarding the extension of the ceasefire deadline with the SDF is incorrect.