European and U.S. calls for permanent ceasefire in NE, Syria

France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States issued a joint statement today welcoming the 15-day extension of the ceasefire between Syria’s interim government and the Syrian Democratic Forces in northeastern Syria. The statement urged all parties to strictly respect the truce and to exercise maximum restraint.

The statement followed a meeting attended by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, German Deputy Foreign Minister Serap Güler, and U.S. Special Envoy Tom Barrack.

The four countries underscored the need to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and welcomed the establishment of humanitarian corridors to ensure the safe and unhindered delivery of aid. They emphasized the importance of maintaining these corridors and resuming essential services in the city of Kobani.

The statement also praised the role played by regional and local actors, including Iraq, the Kurdistan Regional Government, the interim government, and the Syrian Democratic Forces, in addressing the challenges posed by ISIS.

The four countries called for the swift achievement of a permanent ceasefire and the prompt resumption of negotiations, with the aim of achieving a peaceful and sustainable integration of northeastern Syria within a unified and sovereign state that respects and protects the rights of all its citizens, based on the 18 January 2026 agreement.

The statement further stressed the necessity of continuing collective efforts to combat ISIS, warning against any security vacuum around detention centers holding ISIS militants, and announced agreement to convene a forthcoming meeting of the Global Coalition against ISIS.

Finally, the four countries reaffirmed their support for a comprehensive political transition in Syria, emphasizing that stabilizing northeastern Syria through peaceful means is a key priority to prevent the return of terrorism and to strengthen regional security.

ANHA