Negotiators Seek Deal on Fate of Kurdish Forces in Syria Amid Rising Tensions
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Diplomatic efforts are intensifying to resolve one of the most critical issues in Syria’s post-Assad era: the status of Kurdish forces that played a pivotal role in the fight against Daesh but are viewed by Turkiye as a national security threat.
According to Reuters, talks involving the United States, Turkiye, Syria’s new leadership, and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have progressed behind the scenes, despite publicly stated differences. Sources suggest a potential deal in the coming months, with some Kurdish fighters leaving northeastern Syria and others integrating into Syria’s defense structures.
Key Sticking Points in the Negotiations
- Kurdish Autonomy: The SDF insists on maintaining some level of self-governance, a stance at odds with Damascus' new leadership, which seeks full control over Syrian territory.
- Integration of Kurdish Fighters: Damascus demands all armed groups be absorbed into Syria’s official security forces, rejecting the idea of the SDF operating as an independent “military bloc.”
- Turkish Military Threats: Turkiye has warned of military action if the People’s Protection Units (YPG), the dominant force within the SDF, is not disarmed. Ankara considers the YPG an extension of the PKK, a group designated as a terrorist organization by both Turkiye and the US.
US-Turkiye Coordination and Broader Geopolitical Stakes
- US & Turkish Talks: High-level negotiations between Washington and Ankara are ongoing, with both sides agreeing that foreign fighters should leave Syria.
- Turkiye & Syrian Rebels: HTS, a former Al-Qaeda affiliate, has emerged as a major player following the fall of Bashar Assad in December 2024, complicating power dynamics.
- Kurdish Control at Risk: With Turkiye-backed forces advancing and Damascus opposing Kurdish autonomy, the SDF faces mounting pressure.
What’s at Stake?
- Risk of Escalation: Failure to secure a deal could fuel further violence, with cross-border Turkish airstrikes and ongoing clashes already claiming dozens of lives.
- Regional Instability: A breakdown in talks could destabilize Syria’s fragile recovery and potentially jeopardize efforts to end the PKK’s insurgency in Turkiye.
- US Policy Uncertainty: The Trump administration’s stance on SDF support remains unclear, leaving Kurdish forces in strategic limbo.
As negotiations continue, the future of Syria’s Kurds hangs in the balance, with their fate tied to US policy shifts, Turkish military decisions, and Damascus' post-Assad governance strategy.
