Kurdish Forces and Syrian Government Reach Integration Agreement

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have reached a landmark agreement to integrate their institutions with the Syrian government, marking a potential shift in the ongoing conflict landscape.

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-led militia alliance controlling northeastern Syria, have officially agreed to integrate with the Syrian government, as announced by the Syrian presidency. This significant agreement outlines the cessation of hostilities, the relinquishment of control over border posts, airports, and critical oil and gas fields, as well as the recognition of the Kurdish minority as an indispensable part of the nation's fabric. SDF commander Mazloum Abdi termed this accord a "real opportunity to build a new Syria," emphasizing a commitment to ensuring the rights of all Syrians in their seek for peace and dignity.

Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa joined Abdi in signing the deal, which aligns with his vision for a unified Syria following the turmoil wrought by a Sunni Islamist-led offensive that ousted President Bashar al-Assad. The fragility of this objective is underscored by ongoing violence in western Syria, where attacks on government forces by Assad loyalists have led to a severe death toll among civilians, primarily from the Alawite sect.

The agreement could further ease tensions between the SDF and Turkey, which has supported former Syrian rebel factions pushing against Kurdish dominance near the border. Notably, the SDF has maintained a neutral stance throughout the 13-year civil war, controlling approximately 46,000 square kilometers (18,000 square miles) of territory where it helped defeat the Islamic State (IS) group in 2019, alongside a US-led coalition.

The SDF also plays a pivotal role within the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), governing an area known to Kurds as Rojava. It currently houses about 10,000 detained IS fighters in its prisons, along with an additional 46,000 individuals linked to IS, typically women and children. The SDF has raised concerns that Turkish-backed factions' attacks are forcing them to divert resources from prison protection, potentially allowing for a resurgence of IS.

Although Turkey has yet to respond officially to the agreement, it views the SDF's dominant militia, the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), as a terrorist organization linked to the PKK, which has a history of insurgency within Turkey. Approximately 25 to 35 million Kurds exist across Turkey, Iraq, Syria, Iran, and Armenia, representing the fourth-largest ethnic group in the Middle East but lacking a permanent nation-state; the Kurdish population in Syria consists of about 10% of the total populace—a demographic that has faced suppression and deprivation of rights under the Assad regime.