A landmark agreement between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian government aims to end hostilities and create a unified political framework in Syria.
**Kurdish Forces and Syrian Government Forge Historic Deal to Unite**
**Kurdish Forces and Syrian Government Forge Historic Deal to Unite**
Kurdish-led SDF agrees to integrate with Syrian state, heralding potential for peace.
The Kurdish-led militia alliance, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), has reached a significant agreement with the Syrian government to fully integrate their military and civilian institutions. This deal, highlighted by the Syrian presidency, outlines that the US-backed SDF will end hostilities and transfer control of critical border posts, the airport, and key oil and gas fields to Syrian authorities. It also acknowledges the Kurdish community as a fundamental component of the Syrian state, ensuring representation and participation for all citizens in the political landscape.
SDF commander Mazloum Abdi expressed optimism about the arrangement, signing the deal alongside interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, and termed the agreement a "real opportunity to build a new Syria." Abdi articulated the commitment to developing a future that secures the rights of all Syrians while realizing their desire for peace and dignity.
This agreement represents a crucial step toward Sharaa's aspiration of unifying the fractured nation, especially following the recent violence in western Syria that left over 1,000 civilians dead, primarily from Assad's minority Alawite sect. It may also ease ongoing tensions between the SDF and Turkey, alongside Turkish-supported factions that have been striving to displace the SDF near the border.
Historically, the SDF has maintained a neutral stance amid the prolonged civil war, controlling over 46,000 square kilometers in northeastern Syria, having achieved significant victories against the Islamic State (IS) with American assistance in 2019. The SDF is integral to the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), or Rojava, overseeing the detention of around 10,000 IS fighters and 46,000 affiliates, primarily women and children, in a network of prisons and camps.
Despite the ongoing tension, the integration deal could secure the SDF's focus on safeguarding these high-risk detention facilities, as threats from Turkish-backed factions have necessitated the redirection of forces. Meanwhile, Turkey has not officially responded to the agreement, though it continues to regard the YPG, a dominant faction within the SDF, as a terrorist organization due to its ties with the PKK, which has been involved in an insurgency against Ankara for decades.
With an estimated 25 to 35 million Kurds inhabiting the broader region across several countries, the Kurdish population in Syria, which represents around 10% of the total populace, has historically faced suppression under the Assad regime, making this agreement a pivotal milestone in Syria's complex sociopolitical fabric.
SDF commander Mazloum Abdi expressed optimism about the arrangement, signing the deal alongside interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, and termed the agreement a "real opportunity to build a new Syria." Abdi articulated the commitment to developing a future that secures the rights of all Syrians while realizing their desire for peace and dignity.
This agreement represents a crucial step toward Sharaa's aspiration of unifying the fractured nation, especially following the recent violence in western Syria that left over 1,000 civilians dead, primarily from Assad's minority Alawite sect. It may also ease ongoing tensions between the SDF and Turkey, alongside Turkish-supported factions that have been striving to displace the SDF near the border.
Historically, the SDF has maintained a neutral stance amid the prolonged civil war, controlling over 46,000 square kilometers in northeastern Syria, having achieved significant victories against the Islamic State (IS) with American assistance in 2019. The SDF is integral to the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), or Rojava, overseeing the detention of around 10,000 IS fighters and 46,000 affiliates, primarily women and children, in a network of prisons and camps.
Despite the ongoing tension, the integration deal could secure the SDF's focus on safeguarding these high-risk detention facilities, as threats from Turkish-backed factions have necessitated the redirection of forces. Meanwhile, Turkey has not officially responded to the agreement, though it continues to regard the YPG, a dominant faction within the SDF, as a terrorist organization due to its ties with the PKK, which has been involved in an insurgency against Ankara for decades.
With an estimated 25 to 35 million Kurds inhabiting the broader region across several countries, the Kurdish population in Syria, which represents around 10% of the total populace, has historically faced suppression under the Assad regime, making this agreement a pivotal milestone in Syria's complex sociopolitical fabric.
