A change in Syria: Syria’s leadership agreed with Kurds in the northeast

The Kurdish -led Syrian democratic forces (SDF) have agreed with the new leadership in Syria for a complete integration into the state institutions. According to the state news agency Sana, the agreement was signed by the president of the transitional government, Ahmed al-Sharaa, and SDF Ober commander Maslum Abdi. Both sides emphasized the country’s unity and according to their own statements.

The agreement includes central points such as the political participation of all Syrians regardless of ethnic or religious belonging and the recognition of the Kurdish community as a population group with full citizenship rights. Control over civilian and military facilities in the northeast, including border crossings, airports and oil and gas fields, should be in a state-owned agreement. In addition, a safe return of all displaced people was agreed.

The northeast of Syria is mainly controlled by the Kurdish SDF who fought with US support against the terrorist militia Islamic State during the civil war. There they have built up their own self -government. Turkey sees the SDF as a branch of the forbidden Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK), classifies it as a terrorist organization and also fights it.

The step could bring a turning point to developments in Syria. The Kurdish leadership had negotiated their future with the new rulers in Damascus in the past few weeks. According to observers, the SDF are released from their role as an independent military and administrative power in order to restore the territorial unity of Syria.