Syria, Kurdish forces strike new deal to integrate SDF units into state

NEWSROOM — Syria’s government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces reached a broad agreement Friday to gradually integrate Kurdish military and civil institutions into the state, after weeks of clashes that ended in a ceasefire.

The deal, shared by the SDF and broadcast by Syrian state television, comes after fighting in which Kurdish forces lost control of large areas and were pushed back largely into Kurdish-majority zones after years of influence across much of northern and northeastern Syria.

Under the agreement, Syrian government forces are to enter the northeastern cities of Hasakeh and Qamishli, and three Syrian army brigades are to be formed from SDF units. A separate brigade is to be created for Kobani in northern Syria, according to the terms released by the two sides.

Damascus and the SDF had agreed Sunday to extend a ceasefire for 15 days while talks continued on integration arrangements.

Syria’s new Islamist authorities, who took power after the ouster of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, have sought to reassert state control across the country.

Weeks of violence and upheaval in northeastern Syria during the attacks on Kurdish positions sparked mass demonstrations, aid drives and volunteer mobilization in the Kurdistan Region and beyond in support of Rojava, as well as heightened regional concern over security at detention sites holding Islamic State suspects.

Nechirvan Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Region, welcomed the agreement in a post on X, calling it “a significant and correct step toward a peaceful solution and ending tensions.” He expressed support for the agreement as a step to stop the fighting, integrate military and civil institutions, guarantee the civil and educational rights of Kurds, and enable displaced people to return to their homes.

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani also welcomed the deal, writing on X, “I welcome the agreement between the Syrian government and the SDF. I hope it will be expanded and lead to greater peace, freedom, stability, and progress across Syria. It should ensure the legitimate rights of all communities and pave the way for the dignified return of refugees.”

He added, “Kurdistanis united in support around the world, and President Barzani’s role in ending tensions and opening a path of dialogue, make us proud. We appreciate @POTUS, the U.S. government and Congress, and our allies for supporting the rights of all Syrian components for stability.”

U.S. envoy to Syria Tom Barrack welcomed the deal, calling it a “historic milestone” that “reflects a shared commitment to inclusion, mutual respect, and the collective dignity of all Syrian communities,” in a post Friday on X.

This article has been updated to add comments by Kurdistan Region leaders

AFP and 964media