Syria, Kurds reach deal to integrate Rojava institutions into state

DAMASCUS, — Syria’s transitional government has reached an agreement with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to integrate institutions of the autonomous Kurdish administration in Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava) into the country’s national government, the presidency announced Monday.

The deal, signed by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and SDF commander-in-chief, General Mazloum Abdi, marks a significant step toward consolidating state control following the December ouster of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad after more than 13 years of civil war.

A statement released by the Syrian presidency outlined the agreement, which includes incorporating civilian and military institutions of Syria’s Kurdish region under the transitional administration of the central government. The integration will cover border crossings, airports, and key oil and gas fields.

The presidency emphasized the Kurdish community’s role as “an essential component of the Syrian state” and pledged to guarantee full citizenship and constitutional rights.

The statement also condemned “calls for division, hate speech, and attempts to sow discord” within Syrian society.

State media published a photograph of Sharaa and Abdi shaking hands after signing the agreement. The plan is expected to be implemented by the end of the year.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, currently serves as the interim president of Syria. He was previously affiliated with al-Qaeda and ISIS before founding the al-Nusra Front, which initially operated as an al-Qaeda affiliate before rebranding as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

The SDF, which has functioned as an army of the Kurdish-led administration in Syrian Kurdistan, controls vast areas of northern and eastern Syria, including most of the country’s oil and gas reserves. These resources are expected to play a critical role in funding the rebuilding efforts under the new government.

Mazloum Abdi with Ahmed al-Sharaa — General Mazloum Abdi (left), the commander-in-chief of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces SDF, the de facto army of Syria’s autonomous Kurdish administration of Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava), with Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, signing an agreement to integrate institutions of Rojava into the country’s national government Damascus, Syria. March 10, 2025. Photo: SANA

The agreement also commits both parties to “supporting the Syrian state in its efforts to eliminate remnants of the Assad regime and all threats to national security and unity.”

The announcement follows days of violence in coastal areas dominated by Syria’s Alawite minority, a group historically aligned with Assad. Clashes erupted Thursday when gunmen loyal to the ousted leader launched attacks on security forces.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, reported that at least 1,068 civilians—most from the Alawite community—were killed, many executed by security forces or allied groups. The fighting also left 231 security personnel and 250 pro-Assad fighters dead, according to the Observatory.

The interim government declared the end of its operation against Assad loyalists on Monday.

The Kurdish population in Syria has long faced repression, including restrictions on their language, cultural celebrations, and, in some cases, citizenship rights under Assad’s rule.

During the civil war, as Assad government forces withdrew from the northeast, the SDF established de facto autonomy in the region. With U.S. backing, the SDF played a pivotal role in the fight against the Islamic State group, helping to eliminate its last territorial stronghold in 2019.

More than 21,000 Kurdish fighters, both men and women, lost their lives battling ISIS and Turkey-backed Syrian Islamist mercenaries.

Despite initial reluctance, Kurdish leaders have shown willingness to engage with Syria’s new authorities.

However, they were excluded from a recent national dialogue conference due to their refusal to disarm.

The agreement follows a rare statement from Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed founder of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), urging the group to disband.

The SDF maintains that it operates independently of the PKK, though Turkey considers the Kurdish militia an extension of the group, which has waged a decades-long insurgency against Ankara.

Turkey, which has military forces in Syrian Kurdistan, regularly conducts airstrikes in the region. Turkish-backed Syrian Islamist mercenary factions have also escalated attacks on SDF-held areas since November.

The Autonomous Administration in Syrian Kurdistan is widely respected for its secular, decentralized self-governance, emphasizing gender equality, direct democracy, and environmental responsibility.

In February 2025, General Mazloum Abdi advocated for the establishment of a secular and decentralized government in Syria.

(With files from AFP | Agencies)