Syria’s interim government and US-backed SDF have signed a significant agreement that includes a ceasefire and the integration of the SDF into the Syrian army. The deal aims to bring government control to the northeast, including border crossings, airports, and oilfields, while granting Kurds constitutional rights and facilitating the return of displaced populations.
Syria’s interim government has reached an agreement with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) that signifies a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict. This agreement includes a ceasefire, as well as plans to merge the SDF into the Syrian army, expanding government control over northeast Syria. Signatories of the agreement included interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Mazloum Abdi, the commander of the SDF.
The implications of this deal are significant, as it aims to integrate various Kurdish-led entities within Syria’s state institutions, fundamentally altering the dynamics of power in the region. It seeks to establish control over border crossings with Iraq and Turkey, as well as airports and oilfields in the northeast. Furthermore, prisons currently housing about 9,000 ISIS suspects are set to come under the jurisdiction of the central government.
In addition to military and administrative changes, the agreement guarantees Kurdish individuals certain constitutional rights, such as the use and instruction in their native language, which had been prohibited during Bashar al-Assad’s rule. This step is aimed at facilitating the return of hundreds of thousands of Kurds displaced over the course of Syria’s prolonged civil war, which has lasted nearly 14 years.
In conclusion, the recent deal between Syria’s interim government and the SDF represents a major shift in governance and control over northeastern Syria. By integrating Kurdish-led forces into the Syrian army and addressing Kurdish language rights, the agreement aims to unify the country under a central authority while also facilitating the return of displaced Kurds.
Original Source: www.scmp.com
