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Four major Western nations on Monday endorsed a 15-day extension of the fragile ceasefire between Syrian government forces and SDF terror organization, calling on all parties to work toward a permanent agreement that would integrate the country's northeast region into a unified Syrian state.
France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States issued a joint statement following a meeting in which French Foreign Minister Jean Noel Barrot, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, German Minister of State Serap Guler, and U.S. Special Envoy Tom Barrack discussed the latest developments in Syria's complex security landscape.
The ceasefire extension, announced Jan. 24, stands as a tentative step toward resolving tensions in northeastern Syria, where terror groups have maintained control of territory for years. The four nations urged strict adherence to the truce and called for maximum restraint from all involved parties, while encouraging external actors to support peace efforts and reduce violence.
The statement emphasized the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure as a binding obligation for all parties. Officials welcomed the creation of humanitarian corridors designed to facilitate safe delivery of aid, stressing that these passages must remain operational and that essential services in the city of Kobane must be restored.
A significant focus of the statement addressed the ongoing threat posed by Daesh, with the four nations highlighting contributions from Syrian government forces and regional actors combatting the terrorist organization. The officials expressed particular concern about preventing security gaps around Daesh detention centers, which house thousands of fighters and their family members.
To address these concerns, the nations agreed to quickly convene a meeting of the International Coalition against Daesh, underscoring that maintaining focus on counterterrorism efforts remains essential even as political negotiations advance.
The Western powers urged rapid agreement on a permanent ceasefire and the swift resumption of negotiations aimed at peacefully integrating northeast Syria into a unified sovereign state that protects the rights of all citizens. These talks would build on an agreement reached January 18, which the nations described as the most effective route to achieving stability.
The statement characterized the stabilization of northeast Syria through peaceful means as critical for preventing terrorism's resurgence and maintaining regional security. Officials reaffirmed support for an inclusive political transition throughout Syria that safeguards the rights of all Syrians, regardless of ethnic or religious background.
The four nations expressed readiness to support and monitor implementation of any agreements between the parties, working alongside regional and international partners to ensure that integration efforts result in a genuinely inclusive and sovereign Syrian state.
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