Saudi Arabia welcomes the ceasefire agreement between the Syrian government and the SDF
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expressed its strong support for the ceasefire agreement reached between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), considering it a significant positive development towards de-escalating tensions and ending the bloodshed in areas that have recently witnessed clashes. This Saudi position is consistent with the Kingdom's foreign policy, which consistently advocates prioritizing dialogue and reason over force in resolving internal conflicts within Arab states.
Context of events and the importance of de-escalation
This agreement comes at a sensitive time for Syria, where areas of contact between government forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), particularly in the Deir ez-Zor countryside and northeastern Syria, have witnessed security tensions and sporadic clashes. These incidents have raised fears of a large-scale military escalation that could harm civilians and hinder counterterrorism efforts. Political circles view this agreement as an urgent necessity to ensure that terrorist organizations, such as remnants of ISIS, do not exploit the security vacuum to regroup and threaten the region's security.
The Saudi role and the return to the Arab fold
The Saudi welcome cannot be separated from the broader context of the diplomatic efforts recently spearheaded by Riyadh, culminating in Syria's reinstatement to its seat in the Arab League and its participation in the Arab Summit in Jeddah. The Kingdom consistently affirms its unwavering support for Syria's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence, and its rejection of any foreign interference that could lead to the country's division or prolong the crisis. This welcome underscores the Kingdom's desire to see a stable and secure Syria, capable of exercising its sovereignty over all its national territory through political agreements, not military solutions.
Towards a comprehensive political solution
In welcoming the agreement, the Kingdom stressed the necessity for it to serve as a prelude to a comprehensive Syrian national dialogue, paving the way for a political solution to the Syrian crisis that ends all its repercussions, preserves Syria's unity, and fulfills the aspirations of its brotherly people, in accordance with international standards and relevant UN resolutions, foremost among them Security Council Resolution 2254. Observers believe that the continuation of the truce between Damascus and the Kurdish forces in the northeast is a fundamental pillar for any future political settlement, and it also facilitates the delivery of humanitarian aid to those affected in those areas, which is a top priority for both the international community and Arab states.
