ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – The Kurdish-led Rojava administration in north and east Syria and the Damascus government have reached an agreement, with a ceasefire set to follow in the coming hours, media affiliated with Kurdish-led forces said on Sunday.

Tensions re-escalated between the two sides in eastern Aleppo on Saturday morning, after the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) accused the Damascus forces of violating an internationally-sponsored agreement, that would see the Kurdish-led force withdraw from eastern Aleppo, by entering Deir Hafer and Maskanah before its fighters had completed their withdrawal. The Syrian army, meanwhile, accused the SDF of attacking its positions in the area.

The reports said a ceasefire is expected to be announced in the coming hours, adding that a shared understanding has been found between Damascus and the Kurdish-led administration in north and east Syria.

Syrian Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa on Sunday evening told the country's state media: "We expect an important announcement after 6 o'clock, related to the ongoing consultations regarding the ceasefire agreement and the full integration of the SDF into the institutions of the Syrian state."

SDF-affiliated media reported earlier on Sunday that SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi held a phone call with Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, discussing a potential ceasefire between the two sides. 

US Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack and Abdi held a series of meetings in Erbil on Saturday with Kurdistan Region leaders, including President Barzani and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, amid ongoing clashes in Syria.

Discussions focused on ways to reduce tensions, revive dialogue, and restore stability.

Abdi said on Sunday that efforts toward de-escalation with the Damascus government are ongoing despite continued clashes in SDF-held areas along the Euphrates, accusing Damascus-affiliated forces of violating de-escalation agreements.

He said international parties are assisting talks toward a ceasefire, as fighting persists following the SDF’s announced withdrawal from parts of eastern Aleppo.

Updated at 5:59 pm with Mustafa's remarks