In northeast Syria, revelers took to the streets after the announcement of a breakthrough deal between the central government in Damascus and local Kurdish-led authorities.

Syrians from around the country celebrated an agreement signed by interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa with the Syrian Democratic Forces to join new state institutions. The accord comes at a critical moment as Sharaa grapples with the fallout from deadly clashes between Syrian forces and militants loyal to ousted President Bashar al-Assad.

The agreement marked a major victory for Damascus in its quest to unify the country, as violent unrest continues to grip Syria’s coastal region.