Syria troops, Kurds agree on Russia-brokered truce in Hasakah

Syrian forces and Kurdish fighters have agreed upon a Russia-brokered ceasefire in the north-eastern city of Hasakah.

The truce includes a "halt to all hostilities and the return to government forces of any positions seized by Kurdish fighters," said a Syrian military source on Sunday.  

Despite both parties battling the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group, clashes erupted on Wednesday between the US-backed Kurds and troops loyal to the Syrian government.

According to the terms of the ceasefire, casualties from the fighting will be transferred to the close-by town of Qamishli, and further negotiations are also scheduled for Monday.

Seven army checkpoints, which were seized by Kurdish forces during the clashes, have been returned to the control of government forces, but three still remain in Kurdish control, according to local reports.

However, following the announcement of the ceasefire, a Kurdish source was quoted by AFP as saying that the ceasefire has not been fully agreed upon yet. "No agreement has been reached on a ceasefire or the return of positions to the government," he said.

Since the fighting erupted, large numbers of the city’s population have fled, while the rest of the people are dealing with water and power shortages.    

On Saturday, a Russian delegation from Khmeimim airbase arrived in Qamishli to coordinate efforts for a ceasefire between the feuding forces.

Over the past few months, Syrian forces have made a series of significant gains against militants in the country, especially in and around the northern city of Aleppo.

MG