The United States has endorsed a deal integrating the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces into Syrian state institutions, which has significant implications for governance in the region. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the necessity for non-sectarian governance to avoid conflict. The agreement includes a ceasefire, support against pro-Assad factions, and protections for Kurdish rights. However, U.S. support for the SDF has complicated relations with Turkiye.
The United States has praised a recent agreement in Syria to integrate the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into state institutions. This endorsement follows a deal announced by the Syrian presidency and the SDF, which grants full control of a semi-autonomous region, previously overseen by the SDF since 2015, to the Syrian central government.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed support for this political transition, emphasizing the need for credible, non-sectarian governance to mitigate further conflict. Rubio also highlighted the necessity to monitor actions taken by interim authorities, particularly in light of recent violence against minority groups.
The agreement involves merging civil and military institutions in northeastern Syria into the national administration. This includes valuable infrastructure such as airports and oil and gas facilities. This development marks a significant political milestone in Syria, especially following the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad by opposition forces.
Moreover, the accord establishes a ceasefire throughout Syria, ensures SDF backing against pro-Assad forces, and recognizes the Kurdish population’s right to citizenship and constitutional rights, affirming their integral role in Syria. Although discussions for integrating the SDF into Syria’s governance had begun post-Assad’s downfall, previous efforts faced challenges due to skepticism regarding the SDF’s commitment to opposing the regime.
The United States collaborated with the SDF to combat the ISIL (ISIS) threat, whose dominance in Syria ended in 2019. However, U.S. backing for the SDF has strained relations with Turkiye, which regards the Kurdish forces as extensions of the terrorist-designated Kurdistan Workers’ Party.
In conclusion, the U.S. support for the recent agreement in Syria signifies a pivotal step towards integrating the Kurdish-led SDF into national governance. This underscores the importance of non-sectarian rule and recognition of minority rights in fostering stability. Ongoing monitoring of the situation remains essential, especially in light of recent violence, as well as the nuanced dynamics with Turkiye.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
