Kurdish-led SDF agrees to integrate with Syrian government forces

The Syrian Presidential Palace announced that a Kurdish-led militia alliance has signed an agreement to incorporate all of its military and civil institutions into the Syrian state. This alliance currently controls areas in northeastern Syria. The agreement aims to end the conflict in the region and promote the unification of Syria, which is a crucial step towards national stability.

The agreement includes a complete cessation of hostilities and the transfer of control of border posts, airports, and key oil and gas fields in the region to the Syrian government by the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Furthermore, the agreement recognizes the Kurdish minority as "an integral part of the Syrian nation" and guarantees "the representation and participation of all Syrians in the political process," ensuring inclusivity in the nation's future.

Syrian Democratic Forces Commander Mazloum Abdi called the agreement "a real opportunity to build a new Syria." He wrote on the X platform: "We are committed to building a better future, guaranteeing the rights of all Syrians, and realizing their aspirations for peace and dignity." He signed the agreement in Damascus on Monday with interim President Ahmed Shala, marking a significant milestone.

The agreement represents an important step towards Shala's goal of achieving national unity. Previously, his Sunni Islamist group led the rebellion to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad, ending a destructive 13-year civil war. The agreement could also help ease the conflict between the Syrian Democratic Forces and neighboring Turkey, as well as Turkish-backed former Syrian rebel forces attempting to drive the alliance out of areas near the border, fostering regional stability.

Several Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have welcomed the agreement, calling it an important step in maintaining "domestic peace." However, Turkey has not yet commented on the agreement. The Turkish government views the People's Protection Units (YPG), the largest militia group within the Syrian Democratic Forces, as a terrorist organization and an extension of the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), highlighting the complexities of regional politics.

Kurds are the fourth largest ethnic group in the Middle East, with a population of between 25 million and 35 million, residing in mountainous regions spanning the borders of Turkey, Iraq, Syria, Iran, and Armenia. However, they have never obtained a permanent nation-state. Kurds in Syria make up approximately 10% of the country's population and were suppressed and deprived of basic rights during the rule of the Assad family, making this agreement a potentially transformative moment for the community.