The Syrian government has given the Kurdish self-defense forces (SDF) four days to develop a plan for integrating Al-Hasakah province into state structures. This decision was part of a ceasefire agreement reached on Tuesday with U.S. support and welcomed by the UN. The agreement followed the Syrian army’s taking control of large swathes of territory in the north and northeast of the country that were previously administered by the SDF. Syrian leadership confirmed that government troops will not enter the city centers of Al-Hasakah and Al-Qamishli, remaining on the outskirts provided the arrangements are implemented.
According to an official statement, the timetable and details of the peaceful integration of Al-Hasakah province, including the city of Al-Qamishli, will be discussed later. Under the agreement, SDF commander Mazlum Abdi must propose candidates for the posts of deputy defense minister and governor of Al-Hasakah, as well as representatives for parliament and a list of people for employment in state institutions. The document also stipulates that there will be no regular armed forces in Kurdish villages, except for local security forces drawn from residents of the region.
The agreement includes work on integrating SDF formations into the structures of the ministries of defense and interior, while discussions on the mechanism for this process continue. On their part, the Kurdish self-defense forces have declared full compliance with the ceasefire agreement with the Damascus government. An official statement from Syrian authorities noted that this is already the third agreement between the parties, reflecting ongoing efforts to settle matters and restructure military and administrative presence in the region.
U.S. Ambassador Tom Breck described the proposal as “the greatest opportunity” for the Kurds, noting that the SDF’s initial objective — which Washington supported against ISIS — has largely been achieved. He added that the U.S. does not see a long-term interest in maintaining its military presence in Syria, and that its current priorities are defeating the remnants of ISIS, strengthening national unity, and supporting reconciliation. Breck also noted that Damascus is capable of taking responsibility for security, including control over detention centers holding ISIS fighters.
Earlier, the SDF refused to implement the March 2025 agreement with the government concerning respect for the rights of the Kurdish population and the integration of civilian and military institutions in the northeast of the country under state control. That agreement envisaged reopening border crossings, airports, oil and gas fields, affirmed the unity of Syrian territory, and the withdrawal of the SDF from Aleppo to the east of the Euphrates, but it was not fully implemented. At the same time, the Syrian government is making active efforts to restore order and reassert its control over the entire territory of the country after the political changes of 2024.
Comments on the news
- What political changes occurred in Syria in 2024 and how did they affect negotiations with the Kurdish forces? - In 2024 there was an intensification of regional diplomacy involving neighboring countries, creating a new context for talks. The Syrian government stepped up dialogue with the Kurdish forces through intermediaries, but negotiations are complicated by issues of autonomy, control over resources, and the presence of international forces in the region.
- Why was the March 2025 agreement between the SDF and the Syrian government not implemented despite its detailed provisions? - The agreement was not implemented due to fundamental disagreements on key issues: the status of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) within security structures, the distribution of oil revenues in eastern regions, and the degree of autonomy in governance. The lack of enforcement mechanisms and changing regional dynamics also played a role.
- What is the current administrative structure of Al-Hasakah province and why is integration into state structures such a difficult task? - In Al-Hasakah province there is a dual system of governance: local councils linked to the Autonomous Administration of Northeast Syria (Kurdish self-administration) and remnants of state institutions loyal to Damascus. Integration is difficult due to deep mistrust, different governance systems, competing security structures, and fundamental disagreements over issues of identity, language, and resource distribution.
Full version: الحكومة السورية تمهل قسد 4 أيام لوضع خطة دمج الحسكة في الدولة