International welcome for the 15-day extension of the ceasefire in Syria

In a diplomatic move aimed at bolstering stability in the region, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany today welcomed the announcement of a 15-day extension to the ceasefire agreement in Syria. This agreement covers a truce between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), at a time of heightened tensions on the ground and in the political arena.

Calls for restraint and compliance with the agreement

The four countries issued a joint statement stressing the need for all parties to fully adhere to the terms of the agreement, warning against any military escalation that could undermine the efforts made. This unified stance followed a high-level diplomatic meeting that included French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, German Deputy Foreign Minister Serap Güler, and the US Special Envoy to Syria, where they emphasized the importance of exercising maximum restraint to ensure the protection of civilians and maintain relative stability in areas that have suffered for years from the ravages of conflict.

General context and importance of the extension

This extension comes at a critical juncture for the Syrian arena, as northern and eastern Syria remain a hotbed of ongoing tension between government forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Observers note that extending the truce is not merely a chance to regroup, but a pressing necessity to prevent the situation from escalating into open conflict, which could be exploited by terrorist organizations to reorganize, thus threatening regional and international security. Western capitals view this agreement as a crucial first step that must be built upon to prevent the worsening of the humanitarian crisis facing the population in those areas.

Towards a sustainable political solution

In closing their statement, the representatives of the four countries affirmed that military solutions will not work in the Syrian crisis, stressing the importance of expediting a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire agreement. The statement asserted that the current truce should serve as a cornerstone for de-escalating tensions and creating fertile ground for launching a comprehensive and inclusive political process. This vision is based on relevant international resolutions, most notably UN Security Council Resolution 2254, which outlines a roadmap for a political solution in Syria that guarantees the country's unity and territorial integrity and ensures the safe return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their homes.