ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – The Iraqi foreign ministry on Tuesday welcomed a recently signed ceasefire and integration agreement between the  Syrian transitional government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

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

In a Tuesday statement, Iraq's foreign ministry welcomed the agreement, dubbing it “a positive step that reflects the importance of prioritizing dialogue and understanding among all Syrian parties.”

“This ensures the preservation of the rights of all Syrian communities and guarantees their equitable participation in state institutions, based on citizenship and peaceful coexistence,” the statement added.

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 Hasaka and Qamishli.” It also stipulates the “gradual integration” of Kurdish forces and institutions into the Syrian state.

The implementation of the agreement began on Monday, with Syrian security forces entering areas in Rojava (northeast Syria). The entry of the Damascus forces is supposed to be temporary, reportedly lasting only up to 15 days.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also appreciates the Syrian parties' response to the efforts exerted by the leaders of the Republic of Iraq, which contributed to creating the appropriate conditions for reaching this agreement," the ministry said.

The agreement was reached after weeks of deliberation and foreign mediation, including top officials from the Kurdistan Region, mainly President Masoud Barzani who held numerous phone calls with both interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and SDF commander Mazloum Abdi.

Barzani also hosted a meeting between Abdi and US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack in Erbil, where a potential halt to hostilities and a ceasefire agreement were discussed.

The tensions in Syria, particularly the handover of prisons holding Islamic State (ISIS)-affiliated individuals has led to heightened security concerns in Iraq, with Baghdad ramping up measures to secure its borders amid reports of ISIS prisoners escaping from the neighboring country amid the instability.