In a significant political shift, Syria’s interim President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has signed an agreement with Mazloum Abdi, the leader of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), to integrate the group into the country’s armed forces.
Key Points of the Agreement
According to a statement from the Syrian Presidency, the deal includes:
✔️ The full integration of civil and military institutions in northeast Syria under government control.
✔️ The transfer of border crossings, airports, and oil and gas fields to the Syrian administration.
✔️ The establishment of executive committees to oversee implementation by the end of the year.
A Long-Awaited Agreement
For years, President al-Sharaa has urged the SDF and other armed groups that emerged during Syria’s 13-year civil war to unify under the command of the new Defense Ministry. While negotiations with the SDF were challenging, this deal marks a major step toward national unity.
The Role of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)
The SDF, established in 2015, has played a key role in the fight against ISIS with backing from the United States. The group led the defeat of ISIS in 2019 and continues to hold thousands of captured ISIS fighters in detention centers.
What This Means for Syria’s Future
This agreement is expected to:
🔹 Strengthen Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
🔹 Bring Kurdish forces under state control, reducing tensions.
🔹 Influence the geopolitical balance in the region, particularly with U.S. and Turkish involvement.
With this landmark decision, Syria moves closer to rebuilding national unity after more than a decade of conflict.