Syria’s Interim President Signs Historic Deal with Kurdish-Led SDF to Merge Forces
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Hashim Sheikh - . March 11, 2025
- . Update: March 11, 2025 8:48 pm
Syria’s acting president, Ahmed al-Sharaa signed a major agreement with the Kurdish-led, U.S.allied Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to bring the SDF held in the northeastern areas into Syria’s state apparatus. The deal signed on Monday in Damascus is a pivotal point for Syria’s future as it strives to be reunited after 14 years of war. SDF leader Mazloum Abdi hosted Sharaa for the symbolic handshake that started off integration schemes for SDF operated civil and military organizations into the government of Syria.
The agreement has major terms for the incorporation of SDF controlled border crossings, an airport and strategic oil and gas fields into the government of Damascus. The agreement also binds the SDF to join forces with the government to fight against remnants of the Assad regime which has been blamed for causing civil unrest in northwest Syria. The agreement falls short of specifying how the SDF’s military activities will be merged into Syria’s defense ministry.
Sharaa, dealing with internal instability and foreign pressure from recent Alawite mass killings, views the agreement as a path toward stability. For the SDF, the agreement is a protection from possible U.S. withdrawal.
