Syrian troops entered the northeastern city, which was previously controlled by the Kurdish-led SDF.

Syrian troops have entered the northeastern city of Hasakah, formerly controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in a first step toward implementing a U.S.-backed ceasefire.

A large convoy of trucks was seen entering the city on Monday, hours after the SDF announced a curfew.

Syrian government forces are also expected to enter the cities of Kobani and Qamishli.

The Self-Defense Forces have arrived comprehensive agreement Kurdish-led forces, which have ceded territory to advancing government forces in recent weeks after months of tensions and sporadic clashes, worked with the government on Friday to integrate with Syrian forces.

A Syrian official and a Kurdish security source told Reuters ahead of the deployment that government forces were expected to be stationed at Syrian state buildings in Hasakah’s so-called “safe zone.”

“What is happening here is very important,” Al Jazeera’s Teresa Bo reported from outside Hasakah, adding that a convoy of 150 Syrian military personnel had entered the city.

“Where I am standing now, there was once a checkpoint run by the Kurdish-led SDF, now guarded by soldiers of the Syrian army. This shows the importance of this territory: this area has been under the control of the SDF throughout the Syrian civil war,” she said.

The United States hailed the agreement as a historic milestone toward unity and reconciliation after 14 years of war.

Integration of Self-Defense Forces

The SDF was once Washington’s main ally in Syria and played an important role in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS).

But its position has weakened as U.S. President Donald Trump forges a relationship with Syrian President Ahmed Salad after the fall of former leader Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.

The agreement announced on Friday includes the formation of a military division that will include three SDF brigades, as well as a brigade in the SDF-controlled town of Kobani, also known as the City of Arabs, which will be part of the state-controlled Aleppo province.

The agreement also stipulates that the governing bodies of areas controlled by the SDF will be merged with state institutions.

Syria’s state news agency SANA reported that Interior Ministry troops began deploying in rural areas near Kobani on Monday.

Shara’s efforts to bring the fractured country under central rule since rebels overthrew Assad 14 months ago have been complicated by deadly violence last year involving the Alawite and Druze communities.