Xinhua
12 Mar 2025, 14:47 GMT+10
Mohammad Nader al-Omari, a Damascus-based Syrian analyst and international relations expert, said that the agreement represents a crucial step toward maintaining Syria's territorial integrity, easing concerns about division.
DAMASCUS, March 12 (Xinhua) -- A newly reached agreement between Syria's new interim government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) could mark a significant turning point for the country, potentially stabilizing the war-torn nation and reshaping its political landscape.
However, its success hinges on effective implementation, cooperation and compromise among all parties.
The deal, finalized earlier this week between interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and SDF's top commander Mazloum Abdi, involves merging all Kurdish-controlled civil and military institutions into state institutions, reported state news agency SANA.
This integration covers border crossings, airports, and oil and gas fields. It also includes provisions for a nationwide ceasefire, official recognition of the Kurdish community as integral to Syrian society, and protection of displaced Syrians returning home.
Mohammad Nader al-Omari, a Damascus-based Syrian analyst and international relations expert, said that the agreement represents a crucial step toward maintaining Syria's territorial integrity, easing concerns about division.
"It's a positive move for uniting Syria's geography," al-Omari said, stressing the logistical challenges and the need for genuine commitment from both sides.
"Implementation requires serious efforts, cooperation and mutual concessions," he added.
Anas Joudeh, founder of the Damascus-based Nation Building Movement, said that the agreement is "very important," highlighting the political importance of the SDF's involvement, calling it a "crucial pillar" in Syria's national political process.
"The SDF has achieved most of its immediate objectives," Joudeh said. However, he cautioned that practical outcomes would determine the agreement's true impact, as "the devil lies in the details."
The agreement outlines the establishment of executive committees tasked with fully implementing the agreement by the end of this year, according to a joint statement by the two sides.
But analysts cautioned that hurdles remain, particularly regarding the integration of SDF forces into the Syrian army. Options under discussion range from dissolving SDF forces, creating a specialized brigade in northeastern Syria, or integrating its fighters into existing army units.
The United Nations welcomed the agreement after a violent escalation in the country's coastal region last week, a UN spokesman said on Tuesday.
Geir Pedersen, UN special envoy for Syria, expressed his hope in a statement that the agreement could support and feed into a broader, credible and inclusive political transition process in line with the key principles of Security Council resolution 2254, which envisions a new constitution and free and fair elections.
Pedersen also urged key international stakeholders, including the United States, Trkiye and regional partners, to support Syria's efforts. "That includes supporting a nationwide ceasefire and ensuring genuine compromises that enable peace and stability to take hold in the northeast part of Syria," he said.
If successfully implemented, experts believe the agreement could encourage other factions, notably in Syria's southern regions, to follow suit, fundamentally altering Syria's political and security landscape.
"A successful implementation would represent a qualitative shift in Syria's broader situation," al-Omari said.
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