Syria’s interim government has signed a historic agreement with the Kurdish-led SDF, aiming to merge SDF forces into the Syrian army and granting Kurds constitutional rights. The deal will extend government control over critical resources and facilitate the repatriation of displaced Kurds by the end of the year.
On Monday, Syria’s interim government finalized a significant agreement with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), aiming to integrate SDF-controlled entities into Syrian state institutions. This monumental deal includes a ceasefire and the assimilation of the main US-backed force in the northeastern region into the Syrian army.
The accord represents a pivotal moment for Syria’s stability, as it seeks to unify governance under President Bashar al-Assad’s administration, notably led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.
The monumental agreement was signed by interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Mazloum Abdi, the SDF commander. This integration plan is set for implementation by the end of the year and will extend central government control over border crossings with Iraq and Turkey, airports, oilfields in the northeast, and facilities housing approximately 9,000 individuals suspected of being affiliated with the Islamic State (ISIS).
In a significant concession, Kurdish communities will have their “constitutional rights” recognized, including the rights to utilize and teach their language, which faced prohibition for decades under Assad’s leadership. Additionally, this development will facilitate the return of hundreds of thousands of displaced Kurds to their native regions following the prolonged humanitarian crisis resulting from the civil war.
This groundbreaking deal marks a crucial step toward integrating Kurdish forces into the Syrian state, fostering stability within the nation. By granting constitutional rights to Kurds and restoring control over key infrastructures and territories to the central government, the agreement facilitates the potential return of displaced individuals and heralds a new era for Syrian governance under President Assad’s rule.
Original Source: www.scmp.com
