It was a development in the Syrian drama almost as unexpected as the stunningly swift fall of the Assad regime that had dominated this country for decades.

The United States encouraged its Syrian Kurdish allies to reach Monday's landmark deal with the Islamist-led government in Damascus, six sources said, an agreement that could stave off further conflict in northern Syria at a time of uncertainty over the future of U.S. forces deployed there.

The Syrian Transitional Government has reached a rather unexpected agreement with the Kurdish armed groups of the Arab Republic regarding their integration into state institutions. This happened as part of efforts to unite the country's various communities after a decade of civil war and amid clashes between government forces and Syrian

The scenes of elation following Monday night's declaration came in sharp contrast to the grim scenes in coastal communities wracked by days of clashes.