In a significant geopolitical shift, thousands of Syrian Kurds assembled in Qamishli on Sunday demonstrating solidarity as a landmark agreement between Kurdish authorities and the Damascus government moves toward implementation. The comprehensive deal, finalized Friday, outlines a phased integration of Kurdish military and civilian institutions into the Syrian state apparatus.
This diplomatic breakthrough follows weeks of territorial concessions by Kurdish forces to advancing government troops, marking a substantial setback for Kurdish aspirations to maintain the de facto autonomy established during Syria’s civil war. The autonomous administration had previously controlled extensive territories across northern and northeastern Syria through campaigns against Islamic State, backed by a US-led coalition.
Under the agreement’s terms, both parties will maintain an existing ceasefire that halted intense recent fighting. The framework specifies the ‘gradual integration’ of Kurdish forces and administrative bodies while addressing certain Kurdish demands—including the establishment of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) brigades in Kurdish-majority regions.
SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi confirmed implementation would commence Monday with mutual withdrawals from frontline positions in Ain al-Arab (Kobane) and other northeastern areas. The arrangement permits a ‘limited internal security force’ to enter sections of Hasakah and Qamishli while prohibiting military deployments within Kurdish urban centers.
Syrian Information Minister Hamza Mustafa disclosed additional components, including the transfer of oil fields, Qamishli airport, and border crossings to government control within ten days. The minister further clarified that SDF fighters would be integrated individually into new army-commanded brigades.
The United States, having previously supported Kurdish forces, acknowledged that its alliance objectives had largely been achieved. This integration initiative forms part of broader reforms authorized by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa aimed at reestablishing governmental control over northeastern territories.
The publicly released agreement text explicitly seeks to ‘unify Syrian territory and achieve full integration’ of the Kurdish-majority region, signaling a potential resolution to years of administrative fragmentation.
