Kurdish-led SDF Strengthens Ties with Syrian Government Forces

The recent deal will see the SDF integrate its military and civilian institutions into the Syrian state, marking a significant shift in the region's governance and potentially easing conflicts with Turkey and other former rebel factions.

In a historic move, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have inked a significant agreement with the Syrian government to integrate all military and civilian institutions into the Syrian state. This pivotal deal, announced by the presidency of Syria, outlines that the SDF, which has been backed by the United States, will cease hostilities and transfer control of essential border posts, critical airports, and vital oil and gas assets.

The agreement also acknowledges the Kurdish minority as an "integral part of the Syrian state," assuring that all Syrians will have representation in the political arena. SDF commander Mazloum Abdi expressed optimism regarding this new partnership during a signing ceremony with interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, calling it a "real opportunity to build a new Syria." He emphasized a commitment to constructing a brighter future that ensures rights for all Syrians and fulfills their aspirations for peace.

This agreement comes as a response to Sharaa's intention to mend the fractured country following his Sunni Islamist faction's involvement in the campaign that removed President Bashar al-Assad from power. However, the task remains daunting, particularly in light of recent escalated violence in western Syria, where revenge attacks on security forces have reportedly claimed the lives of over 1,000 civilians, predominantly from Assad’s minority Alawite sect.

The deal may lead to decreased conflict between the SDF and Turkish-backed Syrian groups attempting to encroach upon areas controlled by the Kurdish alliance. The SDF commands tens of thousands of troops with considerable training capabilities and takes a substantial role in the administration of northern and eastern Syria, referred to as Rojava by Kurds.

Currently, about 10,000 IS militants are imprisoned in SDF-operated facilities, along with approximately 46,000 others affiliated with IS, mostly women and children, held in various camps. The SDF has indicated that ongoing hostilities from Turkish-aligned factions force them to reallocate fighters from guarding these facilities, raising concerns about a potential resurgence of the Islamic State.

The Turkish government views the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), the most prominent faction within the SDF, as a terrorist entity, linking it to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has a long-standing insurgency record in Turkey. This situation remains delicate, and while Turkey has yet to respond officially to the agreement, the implications for regional stability are considerable.

The Kurdish population, estimated at between 25 and 35 million, spans Turkey, Iraq, Syria, Iran, and Armenia—making them the fourth-largest ethnic group in the Middle East without a recognized nation-state. The Kurds in Syria constitute roughly 10% of the population and have faced systematic suppression under the Assad regime, denying them fundamental rights.