Syria’s Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has reached a broad agreement with the government in Damascus to integrate its fighters into the Syrian army, marking a major shift in the country’s post-war security landscape.
The deal follows weeks of clashes in northern Syria, where the interim government launched an offensive against SDF positions as it moved to consolidate control after the removal of former president Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
A ceasefire that took hold over the past week opened the door to negotiations, culminating in an agreement on Friday for a gradual integration of Kurdish-led forces, according to a statement released by the SDF.
Shortly afterward, Syrian state television confirmed the accord, citing government officials who said implementation would begin immediately.
Rapid Military Gains Changed the Balance
Over the past three weeks, government forces have captured large areas of northern and northeastern Syria previously held by the SDF. The swift advance has strengthened the authority of interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, following months of failed talks aimed at merging Kurdish military units and political bodies into central state institutions.
The recent ceasefire largely held, despite mutual accusations of violations, as both sides sought to secure their positions ahead of a broader settlement.
Terms of the Agreement
Under the agreement, frontline fighters will pull back, while government troops will deploy to the centres of the northern cities of Hasakah and Qamishli. Local security forces in those areas will be merged under state authority.
The deal also предусматриes the creation of a new military division incorporating three SDF brigades. In addition, a separate brigade will be formed for forces based in the SDF-held town of Kobani, also known as Ain al-Arab, which will be administratively linked to Aleppo governorate, the SDF said.
Beyond military arrangements, the agreement includes integrating the SDF’s self-administration bodies into Syria’s state institutions, while confirming the status of civilian employees working under the Kurdish-led administration.
International Context
The developments come amid renewed diplomatic engagement around Syria. U.S. President Donald Trump recently said he was “very happy” with the direction of events in the country following a call with al-Sharaa.
In a statement, the Syrian presidency said al-Sharaa assured Trump of Syria’s commitment to territorial integrity, national sovereignty, and preserving state institutions while promoting civil peace.
The United States, which previously supported the SDF in the fight against ISIL, has increasingly signaled that it now views al-Sharaa’s government as its main interlocutor in Syria.
Regional and Global Stakes
Al-Sharaa also held talks this week in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as Russia seeks to secure the future of its military bases in Syria—key to its strategic footprint in the Middle East.
The integration agreement with the SDF represents one of the most significant steps yet toward unifying Syria’s fragmented armed forces, though questions remain about how smoothly the transition will unfold on the ground.