Ankara: Syria’s Foreign Ministry on Saturday denied media reports that the ceasefire deadline granted to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) had been extended.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) quoted an unnamed source at the ministry stating, “There is no truth to what is being circulated regarding the extension of the deadline with the SDF.” The original ceasefire, announced on Tuesday, was meant to halt military operations across all army sectors and was set to remain in effect for four days from its issuance. This decision was made in line with understandings announced by the Syrian state with the SDF.

On January 18, an agreement between the Syrian government and the SDF was signed, stipulating a ceasefire and the integration of the group’s members and institutions into the Syrian state. Despite this, the Syrian government accused the SDF of continuing provocations and violations, which it described as a “dangerous escalation.”

The agreement came after a military operation by the Syrian Army, which regained large areas in eastern and northeastern Syria. This operation was in response to repeated violations by the SDF of agreements signed about 10 months earlier, which the SDF failed to implement.

In March, the Syrian presidency announced an agreement for the SDF’s integration into state institutions, reaffirming Syria’s territorial unity and rejecting any attempts at division.