ISTANBUL

Syria’s Defense Ministry warned the SDF group Tuesday against failing to comply with a ceasefire and against targeting the Syrian Army and Internal Security Forces.

The warning came in a recorded statement by the ministry’s spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Hassan Abdul Ghani, published on the US social media company X’s platform.

“SDF forces must adhere to the provisions of the Jan. 18 agreement and to the specified timeframe of the ceasefire,” he said.

Abdul Ghani warned the group against targeting the Syrian Army and Internal Security Forces.

He also affirmed the ministry’s readiness to take over prisons holding ISIS (Daesh) elements and hand them over to security authorities.

He further assured Kurdish citizens of “the state’s commitment to protecting them and safeguarding their property.”

Abdul Ghani stressed that the Ministry of Defense “is moving forward with a high sense of national responsibility” in implementing the understanding reached between the Syrian government and the SDF regarding the future of Hasakah province, along with the accompanying ceasefire.

He highlighted the ministry’s “sincere commitment to preventing bloodshed” and building a peaceful solution that preserves Syria’s unity, security and stability, noting that “the new Syria is inclusive of all its sons.”

He also affirmed that the state has been and continues to be in direct confrontation with ISIS, pointing to the Defense Ministry’s readiness to take over the group’s prisons in the region and hand them over to the Ministry of Interior.

The Syrian presidency said early Tuesday that a “mutual understanding” has been reached with the SDF group regarding the future of the eastern Hasakah province.

The Defense Ministry also announced a four-day ceasefire with the SDF, which took effect at 8 pm local time (1700GMT).