Syria has reached an agreement to integrate the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces into state institutions, potentially bringing SDF-controlled territories under full government control. The agreement emphasizes Syrian unity and includes all civilian and military institutions. This follows the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s regime by Syrian opposition forces, leading to the establishment of a transitional government.
The leadership in Syria has announced that it has come to an agreement with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to incorporate them into state institutions. This integration aims to place SDF-controlled territory entirely under the authority of the Syrian government. The news was conveyed by the Syrian President’s Office and reported by Qatari TV channel Al Jazeera.
The agreement was formally signed by Ahmad al-Sharaa, the interim President of Syria, and Mazloum Abdi, the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces. The document stresses the principle of Syrian unity, necessitating that “all civilian and military institutions in northeastern Syria” become integrated “into the administration of the Syrian state, including border crossings, the airport, and oil and gas fields.”
Formed in 2015, the SDF is a coalition of various military groups, chiefly composed of Kurdish self-defense units, with additional support from the US-led international coalition. The SDF has maintained control over an autonomous region in northeastern Syria since 2015. The region under their control is highlighted in yellow on the provided maps.
On December 8, 2024, the Syrian opposition managed to seize Damascus, successfully toppling the government of President Bashar al-Assad after 24 years. Following this event, Assad fled to Moscow. The opposition established a transitional government under Muhammad al-Bashir, who previously led the “Salvation Government”. Ahmad al-Sharaa, also known as Muhammad al-Julani, who heads the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebel group, has emerged as the interim president of Syria.
The recent development signifies an important political shift in Syria, with the integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces into state bodies suggesting a move towards reasserting government control over previously autonomous regions. This agreement, reached amidst the backdrop of the Syrian opposition’s overthrow of al-Assad’s regime, will be crucial in shaping the future governance and administrative landscape of Syria as it navigates its ongoing transition.
Original Source: babel.ua
