United News of Bangladesh

Syria’s defense ministry announced on Saturday that a ceasefire between government forces and Kurdish-led fighters has been extended by 15 days, just hours after a four-day truce expired. In a statement, the ministry said the extension was intended to support a US-led operation to transfer suspected Islamic State militants from prisons in northeastern Syria to detention facilities in Iraq. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces confirmed the ceasefire extension, saying they remain committed to the agreement. “Our forces affirm their commitment to the agreement and their dedication to respecting it, which contributes to de-escalation, the protection of civilians, and the creation of the necessary conditions for stability,” the group said in a statement. The ceasefire follows weeks of heavy fighting between government troops and the SDF, during which the Kurdish-led group lost large areas it had previously controlled. Earlier on Saturday, the SDF urged the international community to act to prevent further escalation. Read More: Syrian troops move into northern towns after Kurdish fighters pull back Tensions have remained high as government forces continue to send reinforcements to northeastern Syria. Talks aimed at merging SDF fighters into state forces stalled earlier this month, triggering renewed clashes, despite an earlier agreement signed in March. State television reported that authorities released 126 boys under 18 from a prison near Raqqa on Saturday and returned them to their families. The prison also holds Islamic State detainees. The US military has said thousands of such prisoners are being transferred to Iraq, with 150 moved earlier this week.