ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - A limited number of Damascus forces on Monday entered the Kurdish-majority city of Hasakah as the agreement with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) enters implementation phase.

Around 100 personnel from the Syrian defense ministry entered Hasakah on Monday afternoon, following a 12-hour curfew in accordance with the agreement.

American planes have been conducting reconnaissance tours over the skies of Hasakah, monitoring the security situation as the implementation of the deal began, according to The New Region’s correspondent on the ground.

Residents of Hasakah’s Arab-majority neighborhoods reportedly began firing “celebratory gunfire” into the air with the state forces’ arrival.

Another convoy, similar in the number of personnel to that of Hasakah, is set to enter toward the city of Qamishli on Tuesday, where a curfew will go into effect from 06:00 am to 06:00 pm.

In an interview with AVA Media on Saturday, SDF chief Mazloum Abdi said that a limited number of Damascus forces would enter Hasakah and Qamishli “symbolically”, while the Kurdish-led internal security forces (Asayish) integrate into the Syrian state apparatus, adding that Kurdish-led forces will remain in their areas and no Damascus bases would be established.

Government forces are also expected to enter the symbolic Kurdish city of Kobane.

The entry of the Damascus forces is supposed to be temporary, reportedly lasting only up to 15 days.

The SDF announced on Friday that it has reached a “comprehensive agreement” with Damascus that will see a phased integration process of the Kurdish-led forces into the Syrian state after weeks-long clashes between the two sides.

The agreement includes “the withdrawal of military forces from contact points and the entry of security forces affiliated with the Ministry of Interior into the cities of Hasakah and Qamishli.” It also stipulates the “gradual integration” of Kurdish forces and institutions into the Syrian state.