On Sunday, a 14-point ceasefire agreement was announced between the Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The pact, brokered with U.S. involvement, marks a significant shift from conflict to a stated partnership and includes a comprehensive transfer of administrative and military control.

Key Terms of the Agreement

The core of the agreement is the full and immediate handover of the Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa governorates to the Syrian government. This transfer encompasses all civil institutions, facilities, and military control. These northeastern regions are oil-rich and had been largely under SDF control, gained during their fight against the Islamic State over the past decade.

Control of Critical Resources

A major component of the handover involves key oil and gas fields. Prior to the ceasefire, Syrian troops had reportedly seized the nation's largest oilfield, Omar, and the Conoco gas field in Deir ez-Zor. These facilities, especially near the Iraqi border, had been a major revenue source for the SDF. The Syrian President had recently stated it was unacceptable for a militia to control a quarter of the country and its main hydrocarbon resources.

Political Context and U.S. Role

The clashes preceded the ceasefire after an earlier integration agreement broke down. The U.S. Special Envoy for Syria met with the Syrian President ahead of the deal, and the U.S. expressed firm support for the comprehensive integration process. In a conciliatory move, the Syrian President also decreed that Kurdish would become a national language and the Kurdish new year an official holiday, marking the first formal recognition of such rights since 1946.

Background on Syria's Energy Sector

Before the civil war 15 years ago, Syria's oil and gas production accounted for about a quarter of government revenues. Recent efforts to rebuild the devastated energy infrastructure include deals between the state-owned Syrian Petroleum Company and U.S. firms ConocoPhillips and Novaterra, as well as with the UAE's Dana Gas, to reboot domestic gas production.