Syria strikes historic deal with Kurds to unify country

DAMASCUS, Syria (MNTV) – Syria’s interim government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have signed a landmark agreement to integrate the Kurdish-led administration and military forces into the Syrian state.

This marks a significant step towards national unification after more than a decade of conflict.

The deal, signed on Monday, by Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa and SDF commander Mazloum Abdi, establishes a nationwide ceasefire, merging the SDF into the Syrian army and placing key institutions—borders, airports, and oilfields—under government control.

For the first time since gaining autonomy in 2012, the Kurdish regions in northeast Syria will formally return to Damascus’s authority.

The agreement also ensures long-denied Kurdish rights, allowing the Kurdish language in schools, recognizing Kurdish holidays, and granting citizenship to thousands of stateless Kurds.

This breakthrough follows the toppling of former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 by a coalition of rebel forces led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

Since then, the SDF had been clashing almost daily with Turkish-backed rebel factions—now part of the Syrian army—over control of key territories. The deal brings an end to these hostilities.

The agreement was met with celebrations in Raqqa and Damascus, where people took to the streets, hopeful that this marked the beginning of lasting peace.

Cautious optimism 

Experts say, despite the optimism, major challenges remain. The agreement does not specify how the SDF’s military wing will be absorbed into the national army, a sticking point in previous talks.

Additionally, Syria’s Druze community in the south has maintained autonomy and has yet to reach a similar deal with Damascus.

Israeli threats to intervene if the Druze are targeted further complicate the situation. Just hours after the agreement was signed, Israeli airstrikes hit military positions in Daraa, southern Syria, according to state media.

Meanwhile, in northwest Syria, clashes between Assad loyalists and government forces last week have resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 people, including hundreds of civilians. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reports that both Assad loyalists and Syrian forces were responsible for mass killings, particularly in Alawite villages.

President al-Sharaa has vowed accountability, stating: “We will hold anyone responsible for civilian bloodshed, regardless of their affiliation.”

Pivotal moment

The deal comes at a pivotal moment as Syria’s new leadership seeks legitimacy and stability.

The U.S., which has backed the SDF for years, remains cautious. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the recent violence but has not commented directly on the agreement.

Observers suggest that SDF leaders, wary of a sudden U.S. withdrawal, saw this agreement as a way to secure their future within Syria.

Turkiye, a longtime opponent of Kurdish autonomy, has yet to respond to the deal.

SDF commander Abdi hailed the agreement as a “real opportunity to build a new Syria”, stating that it ensures a transition reflecting the Syrian people’s aspirations for justice and stability.

While implementation is expected by the end of 2025, the success of the deal depends on how well Syria’s interim government balances competing interests, including Kurdish rights, reconciliation with the Druze, and preventing renewed conflict with remaining Assad loyalists.

This historic accord marks Syria’s most significant attempt at national reconciliation in years, potentially laying the groundwork for a more stable and inclusive political process in the post-Assad era.