Syrian and US presidents discuss Kurdish rights as government forces deploy in the north and east following a new deal with Kurdish-led forces.
RAQA: Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and US President Donald Trump discussed guaranteeing Kurdish rights in a phone call on Monday.
The Syrian presidency said both leaders emphasised the need to protect Kurdish rights within the framework of the Syrian state.
They also affirmed the importance of preserving Syria’s unity and independence and discussed cooperation against the Islamic State group.
The call followed a deal reached on Sunday between Damascus and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
The agreement includes a truce and the integration of the Kurdish administration into the state.
Sharaa met SDF head Mazloum Abdi to discuss the deal, but a Kurdish source described the talks as not positive.
The source said differences remained over the mechanism for implementing the agreement’s terms.
Despite the ceasefire, brief clashes erupted in Raqa city on Monday evening.
An AFP correspondent reported hearing heavy bombardment in the area.
The SDF said government forces shelled the Al-Aqtan prison, which holds Islamic State members, in an attempt to storm it.
A defence ministry source later told AFP that the clashes had halted.
Sunday’s deal included the immediate handover of Arab-majority Deir Ezzor and Raqa provinces to the government.
The government will also take responsibility for IS prisoners held in Kurdish-run jails and camps.
A defence ministry map showed the government now controls all of Deir Ezzor and Raqa provinces.
Eastern parts of Hasakeh province remain under Kurdish control.
In Deir Ezzor, military vehicles were seen heading east of the Euphrates River.
Driver Mohammed Khalil said he hoped things would improve, stating there was no freedom under the SDF.
Teacher Safia Keddo said residents just wanted stability and a normal life.
Authorities announced a curfew in Shadadi after the army said the SDF released IS detainees from the town’s prison.
The Kurds said they lost control of the facility after an attack by Damascus forces.
The sides had earlier traded blame for attacks that the military said killed three soldiers.
In Raqa, residents toppled a statue erected by Kurdish forces.
Resident Khaled al-Afnan said he supported Kurdish civil rights but not a military role for them.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hailed the Syrian army’s careful offensive.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called for all military activities to cease immediately.
The SDF withdrew from areas including the Al-Omar and Tanak oil fields.
Local Arab tribes sided with Damascus and seized the areas before government forces arrived.
SDF head Mazloum Abdi said he agreed to the deal to avoid civil war.
Analyst Mutlu Civiroglu said the government’s advance raised doubts about the ceasefire’s durability.
In Qamishli, activist Hevi Ahmed called the deal a disappointment for Kurdish hopes.
