Syria.. Announcing an agreement to integrate the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into state institutions

The Syrian presidency announced today, Monday, the signing of an agreement stipulating the integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the institutions of the Syrian state, and emphasizing the unity of Syrian territory and rejecting division.

The announcement came after a meeting between Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and SDF commander Mazloum Abdi in Damascus, putting an end to a potential conflict between the two sides that had been dominated by much speculation about the intentions of the Kurdish force that has controlled eastern and parts of northern Syria since the early years of the Syrian revolution.

The agreement stipulates guaranteeing the rights of all Syrians to representation and participation, integrating all civil and military institutions in northeastern Syria into the state, supporting the Syrian state in combating the remnants of the ousted Bashar al-Assad regime and other threats, and rejecting calls for division, hate speech, and attempts to spread discord.

Earlier today, Sharaa told Reuters in an interview that he was seeking to resolve the dispute with the Kurds, including by meeting with Mazloum Abdi. The Syrian president stressed that he wanted a negotiated solution. Abdi had recently said that the events on the coast justified their fears of merging with government forces.

Below is the text of the agreement as published by the Syrian presidency:
Based on a meeting held between President Ahmed Al-Sharaa and Mr. Mazloum Abdi on Monday, March 10, 2025, the following was agreed upon:

• Guarantee the rights of all Syrians to representation and participation in the political process and all state institutions based on competence, regardless of their religious and ethnic backgrounds.
• The Kurdish community is an indigenous community in the Syrian state, and the Syrian state guarantees its right to citizenship and all its constitutional rights.
  Ceasefire on all Syrian territories.
• Integrating all civil and military institutions in northeastern Syria into the administration of the Syrian state, including border crossings, the airport, and oil and gas fields.
• Ensure the return of all displaced Syrians to their country and secure their protection from the Syrian state.
• Supporting the Syrian state in its fight against the remnants of Assad and all threats to its security and unity.
• Rejecting calls for division, hate speech, and attempts to spread discord among all components of Syrian society.
• The Executive Committees are working and striving to implement the agreement no later than the end of this year.

(New Arab)