US, UK, France and Germany Call for Permanent Ceasefire in Rojava

Kurdistan Red Crescent

People evacuate their homes in Rojava.

The United States, the United Kingdom, France and Germany have issued a joint statement welcoming the 15-day extension of the ceasefire between Syrian Government Forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), announced on 24 January, and calling on all parties to strictly adhere to it.

The statement followed a meeting involving French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, German Deputy Foreign Minister Serap Güler and US Special Envoy Tom Barrack. The four countries urged all sides to exercise maximum restraint and called on external actors to support efforts aimed at de-escalation and the pursuit of peace.

The signatories reiterated the obligation of all parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. They welcomed the establishment of humanitarian corridors to allow the safe and unimpeded delivery of aid, stressing that these corridors must be maintained and that basic services should be restored in the city of Kobane.

The joint statement also highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in countering ISIS, welcoming the role played by partners including Iraq, the Kurdistan Regional Government, the Syrian Government and the SDF in addressing the ongoing threat posed by the group.

France, Germany, the UK and the US urged the parties to move swiftly towards a permanent ceasefire and to resume negotiations aimed at the peaceful and sustainable integration of North-East Syria into a unitary and sovereign Syrian state. They described the 18 January 2026 agreement as the most effective framework for achieving long-term stability while safeguarding the rights of all citizens.

Emphasising the continued threat from ISIS, the four countries called for sustained collective efforts to prevent any security vacuum, particularly in and around ISIS detention centres. To address these concerns, they agreed to convene a meeting of the Global Coalition against ISIS at the earliest opportunity.

The statement concluded by reaffirming support for an inclusive political transition in Syria that protects the rights of all Syrians. It stressed that stabilising North-East Syria through peaceful means is a central priority for preventing a resurgence of terrorism and for ensuring regional security, and underlined readiness to support and monitor the implementation of agreements that promote a peaceful and lasting settlement.



PUKMEDIA