The United States has endorsed an agreement in Syria to integrate the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces into state institutions. Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the importance of non-sectarian governance while expressing concerns over violence against minorities. The agreement includes a ceasefire and recognition of Kurdish citizenship rights, but it poses challenges for US-Turkey relations due to differing perspectives on the SDF.
The United States has endorsed Syria’s recent agreement to integrate the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the country’s state institutions. This endorsement follows an announcement from the Syrian presidency and the SDF regarding a deal that grants the Syrian central government full control over a semi-autonomous region administered by the Kurdish-led group since 2015. This agreement marks a significant political shift in Syria as the country seeks to stabilize after a series of conflicts.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized Washington’s support for a political transition characterized by credible, non-sectarian governance. He expressed concerns about the recent violence against minorities and assured that the US would monitor the decisions made by the interim authorities following the agreement. Rubio noted the importance of respecting the rights of all citizens in the region.
Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and SDF commander Mazloum Abdi outlined a deal that consolidates both civil and military institutions in northeastern Syria into the national administration. This includes control over vital infrastructure such as airports and oil reserves. The agreement represents a crucial moment for Damascus as it wrestles with violence that has recently surged in Alawite regions.
The accord involves a ceasefire across Syria, SDF assistance against pro-Assad forces, and recognition of the Kurdish population’s rights to citizenship and constitutional guarantees. Despite ongoing discussions on integrating the SDF into Syrian governance since the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad, previous efforts faced challenges due to perceptions about the SDF’s commitment to opposing the former regime.
The US has historically collaborated with the SDF to combat ISIS, whose territorial control in Syria was eliminated in 2019. However, this partnership has complicated US-Turkey relations, as Turkey regards the SDF as linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, which it designates as a terrorist organization.
In conclusion, the recent agreement to integrate the SDF into the Syrian state marks a considerable political development amid ongoing violence and instability in the region. The United States has indicated support for non-sectarian governance and has committed to monitoring the actions of the interim authorities. While the agreement aims to consolidate control and rights for the Kurdish people, the dynamics of US-Turkey relations remain a focal point of concern as regional tensions persist.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
