Arab countries on Tuesday welcomed the signing of a deal to integrate the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into Syria's state institutions, describing it as a crucial step towards strengthening security in the country.
Syria's interim government reached a landmark deal with the SDF, the presidency announced on Monday evening, agreeing to guarantee the citizenship rights of the Kurdish people in Syria, a ceasefire on all Syrian territories and cementing the rights of all Syrians to representation and participation in the political process. They also agreed to integrate all civil and military institutions in north-east Syria into the state by the end of the year, bringing most of Syria under government control.
Saudi Arabia lauded the signing of the agreement and commended “measures taken by the Syrian leadership to preserve civil peace in Syria”, a statement posted by the kingdom's Foreign Ministry on X said. “The kingdom reiterates its full support for Syria's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.”
The Qatari Foreign Ministry said: “This agreement represents an important step towards strengthening civil peace, enhancing security and stability, and building a state of institutions and law. The stability and prosperity of Syria requires the state to monopolise weapons in a single army that represents all Syrian components, in a way that ensures the preservation of the country’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.”
Kuwait issued a similar statement, highlighting the importance of the deal in rebuilding Syrian state institutions and enhancing security as well as stability.
The Jordanian Foreign Ministry heralded the development as an “important step towards rebuilding Syria on the foundations that guarantee its unity, sovereignty and stability, preserve its security, rid it of terrorism, and protect the rights of all the sons of the brotherly Syrian people”. The ministry's spokesman, Dr Sufian Qudah, affirmed Jordan's support for “sisterly Syria”.
The deal was signed by Syrian leader Ahmad Al Shara and the head of the SDF, Mazloum Abdi, who described it as a “real opportunity to build a new Syria”.
“We are committed to building a better future that guarantees the rights of all Syrians and fulfils their aspirations for peace and dignity,” he posted on X.
Later on Tuesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed the agreement, saying its full implementation would contribute to security and stability in the country. “The full implementation of the agreement reached yesterday in Syria will contribute to the country’s security and stability. The beneficiaries of this will be all our Syrian brothers and sisters,” Mr Erdogan said.
“The United States welcomes the recently announced agreement between the Syrian interim authorities and the Syrian Democratic Forces to integrate the north-east into a unified Syria,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.
The SDF, founded in 2015 with US support, controls parts of north-east Syria and was crucial in wresting the country from ISIS control in 2019. The militia is made up of mostly Kurdish fighters from the Kurdish Protection Units (YPG), linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a separatist group that Turkey, the EU and the US have designated as a terrorist organisation.
Syrian state media published photos showing large gatherings of residents celebrating the agreement and chanting support for the government, which has vowed to bring about national unity.
The deal comes after days of bloody clashes in the coastal areas of the country between pro-government security troops and opposing armed groups, who Damascus accused of being loyal to the former regime. At least 1,300 people, including 800 civilians, most of them Alawites, have been killed in Syria since Thursday, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitor based in the UK.
Syrian state media reported several Israeli air strikes in the southern province of Deraa on Monday night. “The Israeli occupation aircraft carried out several strikes on the surroundings of the towns of Jbab and Izraa in the north of Deraa,” the Sana state news agency said. The UK-based war monitor said Israeli aircraft carried out 17 strikes, attacking several positions of the former Syrian army.
The Israeli army on Tuesday said it attacked military headquarters and sites containing weapons and equipment overnight in southern Syria.
Last month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said southern Syria must be completely demilitarised, warning his government would not accept the presence of troops belonging to the new authorities near its territory. Israeli troops have also entered a UN-patrolled buffer zone near the occupied Golan Heights since former Syrian president Bashar Al Assad was ousted in December.
