This article discusses the recent agreement between the interim Syrian government and the Kurdish-led SDF aimed at promoting national reconciliation. The deal seeks to integrate all military and civilian institutions into the Syrian state while addressing significant security challenges and economic recovery, particularly in the oil sector. The success of the agreement is contingent on resolving critical governance and military integration issues.
On March 10, 2023, a significant agreement was signed between the interim Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) aimed at promoting national reconciliation. This agreement seeks to integrate all military and civilian institutions into the Syrian state, as President Ahmad Al-Sharaa endeavors to gain legitimacy in light of increasing international scrutiny due to violence against minority Alawites by allied militias.
The potential impact of this deal is noteworthy; according to Nanar Hawach, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, it could “significantly reshape Syria’s post-war landscape.” The timing of the deal is critical, occurring amid rising security challenges, including recent attacks and external interventions. These factors have likely influenced Damascus’s decision to pursue this agreement.
Analyst Mutlu Civiroglu notes that this agreement with SDF commander-in-chief Mazloum Abdi allows Al-Sharaa to project himself as a leader committed to inclusivity in Syria’s future. Abdi holds substantial respect across various communities, including Alawites, Druze, and Christians. Kurdish groups associated with the SDF have condemned the ongoing violence against Alawite civilians, denouncing it as a “systematic campaign against Syria’s minorities.”
Following a series of violent clashes, including a deadly ambush in Jableh which left 13 dead, and subsequent reprisals against Alawite civilians, tensions escalated. Rami Abdulrahman from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that displaced Alawites believe an SDF presence could serve as a secure refuge. The deal recognizes the Kurdish community as integral to the Syrian state, ensuring citizenship rights and a cessation of hostilities in SDF-controlled regions.
The agreement also encompasses economic benefits, particularly concerning Syria’s oil industry, which faces dire challenges. Joshua Landis, from the Center for Middle East Studies, emphasizes that the government will control oil resources, generating significant revenue vital for Syria’s recovery post-conflict. The resurgence of oil production is essential to aid the country’s reconstruction, targeted to cost up to $400 billion.
The implementation of this agreement could facilitate economic collaboration, as the resource-rich northeast is essential for Syria’s recovery. However, success relies heavily on how the involved parties will address unresolved issues. While the deal provides for military integration of the SDF into the Syrian Defense Ministry, complexities regarding military autonomy and regional control remain unclear.
Landis highlights a key concern regarding the governance model, expressing that the interim president desires a centralized state without granting minority groups autonomy, contradicted by the SDF’s current demands for practical arrangements akin to those in Iraq. Recently, Al-Sharaa’s signing of a temporary constitution, which reestablishes Islamist governance for five years, faced opposition from the SDF’s political branch, which labeled it as a reversion to authoritarianism without genuine democratic consent.
The Syrian Democratic Council seeks a reconfiguration of the constitutional declaration to ensure equitable power distribution and recognition of all ethnic groups’ rights, reflecting the ongoing struggle for a more comprehensive and fair governance structure in Syria.
In conclusion, the recent agreement between the Syrian interim government and the SDF marks a crucial step towards potential national reconciliation in Syria. However, achieving tangible success will depend on addressing complex issues related to governance, military integration, and the rights of minority communities. With significant economic implications tied to the oil sector, the direction of this agreement remains uncertain amidst rising tensions and differing visions for Syria’s future.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
