Murat Yetkin: The Entire Equation in Syria is Changing: SDF and Damascus Reach an Agreement, U.S. Withdrawal Possible

 

A Major Political Shift in Syria: SDF Joins Damascus Administration

A significant development that could reshape Syria’s political landscape emerged on the evening of March 10. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have officially joined the Damascus administration. This decision was formalized in an agreement signed by Syrian Interim President Ahmed Shara and SDF leader Mazlum Abdi. The agreement ensures Syria’s territorial integrity, guarantees the participation of all ethnic and religious groups in the new government, and grants long-denied citizenship rights to the Kurdish community—rights that were not recognized under the Assad regime. Additionally, it transfers control of ISIS prison camps to the Syrian army. Reports indicate that CENTCOM Commander Eric Kurilla met with Abdi before the signing, suggesting that the U.S. was at least aware of the negotiations.

Regional Reactions and Strategic Meetings

On March 9, just a day before the agreement, senior officials from Syria, Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon met in Amman, Jordan. Foreign and defense ministers, along with intelligence chiefs, pledged full support to the Shara administration in securing the ISIS prison camps. The SDF had previously cited the need to guard these camps as a justification for maintaining a U.S. military presence in Syria. However, Turkey had already committed military assistance to Damascus for this purpose. Meanwhile, before finalizing the deal with the SDF, Shara was invited to Brussels by the European Commission, despite ongoing violence in Latakia. This move was seen as an indication of the EU’s institutional recognition of his leadership, even amid regional turmoil.

Implications for Syria and Turkey

As Syria reels from escalating violence in Latakia, this agreement marks a turning point not just for the country but for the broader Middle East, including Turkey. By securing the SDF’s participation in governance, the deal sets a precedent for greater political inclusion of Alawites, Druze, Christians, and other minority groups. Before signing the agreement, Shara blamed the Latakia violence on actors seeking to reignite civil war but vowed to hold those responsible accountable. In Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed concerns over the crisis, stating that his administration had made necessary recommendations to the Syrian government, particularly given the anxiety within Turkey’s Alawite community. This agreement also has potential consequences for Turkey’s ongoing “Öcalan Initiative,” as it raises the question of whether the PKK-linked YPG in Syria will disarm. While the full details remain undisclosed, the deal could ease the path for a U.S. military withdrawal from Syria, a move that former President Donald Trump had long advocated. For now, the agreement appears to be a crucial step in preventing Syria’s disintegration, particularly in light of the recent targeted killings of Alawite civilians.

Key Provisions of the Agreement

The March 10 agreement between the Syrian government and the SDF outlines the following terms:

1. Inclusive Governance: All Syrians will have the right to participate in the political process and state institutions based on merit, regardless of religious or ethnic background.
2. Recognition of Kurds: The Kurdish community will be acknowledged as a fundamental part of Syria, with full citizenship and constitutional rights.
3. Nationwide Ceasefire: A ceasefire will be implemented across Syria.
4. State Control Over Resources: All civil and military institutions in Northeast Syria (Rojava) will be integrated into the Syrian state, and border crossings, airports, and oil and gas fields will come under government control.
5. Refugee Repatriation: The Syrian government will guarantee the safe return of all refugees to their hometowns and provide necessary protections.
6. Opposition to the Assad Regime Remnants: The Syrian state will actively counter forces linked to the former Assad regime and any groups threatening national security and unity.
7. Rejection of Division: Calls for separatism, hate speech, and efforts to incite division in society will be condemned.
8. Implementation Timeline: Committees will work to fully enforce the agreement by the end of the year.

Critical Implications for Syria’s Future

Several provisions of this agreement hold significant weight for the future of Syria’s new government.

• The commitment to governance based on merit, rather than sectarian or ethnic favoritism, signals an effort toward a more inclusive political system—though its practical implementation remains to be seen.
• Granting citizenship rights to Kurds marks a historic milestone, fulfilling a long-standing demand of the Kurdish community.
• The handover of strategic facilities in Northeast Syria, including military installations and energy resources, could pave the way for a U.S. military withdrawal.
• The pledge to combat remnants of the Assad regime underscores the administration’s intent to break from the past.

The recent violence in Latakia had raised serious doubts about the credibility of Syria’s new leadership, both domestically and internationally. However, if implemented successfully, the SDF agreement could mark a major step toward stability. (*) Updated on March 11, 2025 at 06:55.