dpa | The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the interim government in Syria have reached a comprehensive ceasefire agreement. Both sides confirmed that it laid out a roadmap for the SDF’s full integration into the Syrian state.
In recent weeks there have been fighting between troops of the interim government and the SDF in the north and northeast; the contested area was previously under Kurdish self-administration. After the fall of the Assad government, the new leadership in Damascus under interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa wants to bring all areas of the country, which was fragmented by civil war, under state control.
An agreement to integrate the Kurdish-administered areas has been in place since March last year. However, both sides were unable to agree on concrete steps for implementation. Above all, the Kurds feared a loss of their political power and autonomous rights.
After negotiations on the March agreement failed to produce any success, At the beginning of the year, troops of the government led by Sunni Islamists finally advanced into the Kurdish areas. There has been a ceasefire for several days. This paved the way for renewed negotiations and the agreement that has now been reached.
Controversial points resolved
The agreement calls for the forces gathered on the front lines in the north of the country to withdraw. In addition, Interior Ministry security forces will be stationed in the centers of the northeastern cities of Hasakah and Kamishli, both of which are currently held by the SDF.
The agreement also includes the creation of a military division that will include three SDF brigades. In addition, a brigade will be formed for troops in the SDF-controlled city of Kobane, also known as Ain al-Arab, which will be subordinate to the Aleppo governorate. “The agreement aims to unite the Syrian territory and achieve full integration in the region,” said the agreement released by the SDF. A senior Syrian government official told Reuters the agreement was final and was reached late on Thursday evening. Implementation should begin immediately.
The integration of Kurdish forces into the Syrian army has long been a point of contention between the two sides Key factor in recent military conflicts. This point and other contentious factors have been resolved, according to Sana and the SDF. SDF fighters should now be individually integrated into the army and police, for example. The SDF previously wanted to be integrated as a unified block.
USA: “historical milestone”
US special envoy Tom Barrack praised the agreement on X as a “historic milestone on Syria’s path to national reconciliation, unity and lasting stability.” The move builds on previous agreements. High-ranking SDF representatives should therefore have the opportunity to get involved at the highest level.
According to Kurdish sources, the agreement was brokered by France and the USA, among others. “We hope that they will take on the role of guarantor powers for the integration process,” said Elham Ahmad, foreign affairs representative of the self-administration of northern and eastern Syria.