Syria Government Finalizes Key Accord with US-Backed SDF Forces

Syria’s interim government signed a pivotal agreement with the SDF to integrate Kurdish-led forces into the national army and gain control over critical territories, while also ensuring constitutional rights for the Kurdish people.

On Monday, Syria’s interim government successfully signed a landmark agreement with the Kurdish-led authority governing the northeastern region, represented by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). This agreement includes a ceasefire and the integration of the SDF into the national military, marking a pivotal moment for the Syrian government, which has been recovering territory previously held by various opposition factions.

The accord, signed by interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Mazloum Abdi, the SDF commander, aims to consolidate Syria under the government’s authority. Should the terms be fulfilled by year’s end, it will ensure that all border crossings with Iraq and Turkey, along with airports and oilfields in the northeast, will revert to the control of the central government.

Furthermore, provisions within the agreement stipulate that the Kurdish population will receive their “constitutional rights,” encompassing the use and instruction of their native language, a privilege long denied under previous regimes. This shift will encourage the resettlement of hundreds of thousands of Kurds displaced throughout Syria’s protracted civil conflict, allowing them to return to their ancestral lands.

In summary, the agreement between Syria’s interim government and the Kurdish-led SDF represents a crucial step toward unifying the nation under government control. By securing vital infrastructures and acknowledging Kurdish rights, the deal initiates a significant transformation in the political landscape of Syria, addressing long-standing grievances while facilitating the return of displaced populations.

Original Source: www.scmp.com