Syrian Army Crosses Euphrates River, Deploys in Deir Ezzor and Key Oil Fields Following Integration Pact with SDF; Hopes Rise for Stability in Fractured Region
DEIR EZ-ZOR, SYRIA – In a pivotal strategic shift, the Syrian Arab Army has deployed forces across the Euphrates River into eastern Deir ez-Zor province, filling territory left by the withdrawal of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) under a new political and military integration deal.
The move follows the announcement on Sunday by Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa of an agreement with SDF commander-in-chief Mazloum Abdi. The deal, which includes a ceasefire and a roadmap to integrate the Kurdish-led administration and its forces into the Syrian state, marks a significant step towards reasserting central government authority over the resource-rich northeast.
An AFP correspondent witnessed a substantial convoy of Syrian military vehicles crossing from the government-held west bank of the Euphrates into areas previously under SDF control. The river had long served as a de facto frontier, separating state-controlled zones from the vast, US-backed SDF territories in the east. Long lines of civilian vehicles and pedestrians were also seen crossing, signaling a moment of profound change for residents.
“Our joy over liberation is indescribable,” said Mohammed Khalil, a 50-year-old driver in Deir ez-Zor. “We hope things will be better than before. There was… no freedom under the SDF.”
Local tribal fighters, who sided with Damascus in recent days, secured key positions, including the strategic Al-Omar and Tanak oil fields, ahead of the army’s formal arrival—a move underscoring shifting allegiances in the Arab-majority province.
In a statement, the Syrian army confirmed it had “started the deployment” into the eastern Jazira region “to secure it under the agreement between the Syrian state and the SDF.” The agreement mandates the immediate handover of Deir ez-Zor and neighboring Raqqa province, both Arab-majority regions that fell under Kurdish-led control during the war against the Daesh (ISIS) group.
For many civilians, the transition sparks hope for a return to normalcy after years of conflict and divided governance. “We want children to return to school without fear, and for electricity, water, and bread to be restored,” said Safia Keddo, a 49-year-old teacher. “We’re not asking for a miracle; we just want stability and a normal life.”
The SDF, which includes a large Arab component, originally took control of parts of Deir ez-Zor after defeating ISIS with support from a US-led international coalition. Its withdrawal and the subsequent government deployment represent one of the most significant geopolitical realignments in Syria in years, potentially reducing foreign influence and opening a new chapter in the country’s protracted conflict.
