Damascus, Jan 24, (dpa/GNA) – A ceasefire between the transitional government in Damascus and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Syria, has been extended by 15 days, according to both sides.
The decision was reached through international mediation, according to the SDF.
The extension is intended to facilitate the transfer of prisoners from prisons for fighters of the extremist militia organization Islamic State (IS) to Iraq, the Ministry of Defence announced.
In recent weeks, Syria’s transitional government has taken military action against areas in the north-east of the country previously controlled by Kurds. During the fighting, government troops were able to bring large areas under state control.
The areas in the north-east of the country also contain prisons and camps for IS fighters and their families, which until recently were controlled by Kurdish forces. Government troops have taken control of some of the camps and detention centres.
Due to the fighting, there were concerns about losing control of the prisons and their inmates. Some prisoners are said to have escaped.
In the wake of the ceasefire, the US has begun transferring dozens of imprisoned IS supporters to Iraq. The plan is to transfer up to 7,000 of them to the neighbouring country. According to Iraqi sources, these are individuals with Iraqi and foreign citizenship.
The initial ceasefire agreed on Tuesday expired at 8 pm (1700 GMT) on Saturday.
The SDF was to present a plan for integrating more of its institutions into the Syrian state structure. In March of last year, both sides agreed to integrate the previously Kurdish-administered institutions into the state apparatus.
GNA