\nSyria\u2019s Kurdish-led forces have reached a comprehensive agreement with the government to integrate with the Syrian army.
\nThe interim government in Damascus has been fighting an offensive in the north of the country against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) over recent weeks as it seeks to consolidate control of the country following the overthrow of longtime leader Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
\nHowever, a ceasefire over the past week or so has developed into an agreement for a phased integration of the Kurdish military forces into the army, according to an SDF statement issued on Friday.
\nShortly afterwards, Syrian state TV confirmed the agreement, which will also see the gradual integration of Kurdish civil institutions into state structures, reporting that government officials said it would be implemented immediately.
\nThe agreement follows the Syrian army\u2019s seizure of swaths of northern and northeastern territory in the last three weeks from the SDF.
\nThe rapid turn of events helps to consolidate the leadership of interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, whose government has been frustrated by its failure to secure the integration of SDF and Kurdish political entities into central institutions, despite months of talks.
\nUnder \u200bthe agreement, forces will withdraw from the front lines, \u200cgovernment units will \u200cdeploy to \u2060the centres of the cities of Hasakah and Qamishli, and \u200clocal security forces will be merged.
\nA military division that includes three SDF brigades will be formed. Another brigade based in the town of Kobane, also known as Ain al-Arab, will be affiliated with the governorate of Aleppo, the main city in Syria\u2019s northeastern Kurdish region, according to the SDF statement.
\nGoverning institutions established by Kurdish-led groups in the northeast of Syria are to be merged with state institutions.<\/p>\n
\u2018Historic milestone\u2019
\nThe fate \u2060of the SDF, which once held a quarter or more of Syria, has been one of the biggest issues looming over the country since forces led by al-Sharaa led the push to topple al-Assad 14 months ago.
\nA deal to fold the Kurdish political and military bodies into the state was first agreed in March 2025, but made scant progress towards implementation before a year-end deadline, paving the way for government forces to go on the march.
\nThe ceasefire over the past week had appeared to be largely holding, even as each side accused the other of violating its terms, but the SDF had found itself pressed back and unlikely to cling on in its northeastern enclave.
\nThe United States president\u2019s envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, called Friday\u2019s agreement a \u201chistoric milestone\u201d that \u201creflects a shared commitment to inclusion, mutual respect, and the collective dignity of all Syrian communities\u201d.
\nUnited Nations chief Antonio Guterres also welcomed the deal, saying in a statement shared by his spokesperson that he appreciated the efforts of \u201call those who worked to support it\u201d.
\nGuterres called on all sides to swiftly implement the agreement, saying it was especially important to see the \u201cpeaceful integration of northeast Syria\u201d and the rights of Syrian Kurds ensured, as well as the \u201csafe, dignified and voluntary\u201d return of displaced people.
\nPresident Donald Trump recently said he was \u201cvery happy\u201d with developments in Syria, after a call with al-Sharaa.
\nDuring the call with Trump, al-Sharaa emphasised \u201cSyria\u2019s full commitment to its territorial integrity and its national sovereignty and the state\u2019s keenness to preserve its institutions and promote civil peace\u201d.
\nHaving previously backed the SDF as it fought the ISIL (ISIS) group, it is clear that the US now sees al-Sharaa as its primary partner in Syria.
\nThe interim president continues to work on mending Syria\u2019s foreign relations in all directions.
\nHe met Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for talks in Moscow on Wednesday, as the Kremlin sought to secure the future of military bases vital for its operations in the Middle East.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Syria\u2019s Kurdish-led forces have reached a comprehensive agreement with the government to integrate with the Syrian army. The interim government in Damascus has been fighting an offensive in the north of the country against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) over recent weeks as it seeks to consolidate control of the country following the overthrow […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":529236,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-529214","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-world"],"yoast_head":"\n