As tensions decline in Syria after days of clashes between the US-backed terrorist group YPG and the Syrian army, the Defense Ministry announced that the cease-fire with the group was extended for 15 days, starting Saturday night. The announcement came hours after the expiry of an initial cease-fire announced last Tuesday.
The extension aims to support a U.S. operation to evacuate Daesh detainees currently held in prisons run by the YPG and transfer them to Iraq.
The U.S. military's Central Command (CENTCOM) announced Tuesday that it launched a mission to transfer Daesh detainees from northeastern Syria to Iraq to ensure the terrorists remain in secure detention facilities.
The mission began with U.S. forces transporting 150 Daesh fighters from a detention facility in northeastern Hassakeh province to a secure location in Iraq, with plans for up to 7,000 detainees to eventually be transferred to Iraqi-controlled facilities.
The Syrian Presidency announced separately earlier this week that a "mutual understanding" had been reached with the YPG on the future of eastern Hassakeh province.
Under the understanding, the YPG was given four days to conduct consultations and prepare "a detailed plan for practical integration of the areas," the presidency said.
If an agreement is reached, Syrian forces will not enter the city centers of Hassakeh and Qamishli and will instead remain on their outskirts, the statement added.
The presidency said the two sides agreed to integrate all YPG military and security forces into the structures of the Defense and Interior Ministries, while consultations continue on
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