Integration Agreement Between the Syrian Government and the SDG

A treaty announced by the Presidency of Syria and supported by USA, aiming to integrate military and civilian institutions under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the Syrian state. According to the agreement, the SDF, predominantly composed of the PKK/YPG terrorist organization, will end hostilities and transfer control of border crossings, the airport, and critical oil and gas fields in the region to the central Syrian government.

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Pre-Agreement Situation

After the Syrian opposition led by Ahmed al-Shara announced in December the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, it declared that all weapons held by groups across Syria would be disbanded. However, uncertainty remained regarding whether the SDF, dominated by the PYD—the Syrian branch of the PKK—would integrate into a single national army under the new Syrian leadership.

Under PYD leadership, the SDF has been the primary U.S.^【3】 partner in Syria in the fight against ISIS. During the internal war in the country, it gained significant territorial gains and currently controls the northeastern region of Syria. The SDF is also responsible for securing more than 20 detention centers holding ISIS members and their families in northern Syria. Although the SDF has served as a key common for the U.S. in its campaign against ISIS, uncertainty regarding Washington’s role in the region has increased since Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. elections of December 2024. The United States did not commit to continuing its support for the group, which received approximately $186 million in funding in 2024. Furthermore, it is known that U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed plans to withdraw from Syria. In a statement after becoming president, Trump said, “There is currently too much uncertainty in Syria... I believe Turkey will hold the key to Syria’s future” [3]. In another statement, he added, “Syria has its own chaos. There is already enough turmoil there. We do not need to be involved in every one of them” none [4].

In addition to the uncertain presence of the United States in Syria, Turkey has at various times close justified the U.S. presence in Syria through reason statements regarding Agreed on joint efforts against Daesh, Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon. This statement also offered assistance in establishing a joint operation center against ISIS and securing prisons holding ISIS suspects.

Moreover, clashes continue between the YPG/PKK-backed SDF and the Turkey-backed Syrian Opposition Forces (SOF). In December 2024, intense fighting erupted between the SOF and the SDF in the areas of Manbij and Tel Rifaat, resulting in the SOF successfully taking control of Manbij from the SDF.

These regional and international developments help explain the timing of the agreement between the SDF and the central Syrian government.

Uncertainties Regarding the Agreement

Although the agreement envisions consensus among the parties, it contains significant uncertainties. First, it is unclear whether the SDF will be permitted to operate as a separate military bloc within the Syrian armed forces. Some sources estimate the SDF has between 40,000 and 60,000 militants. However, the Syrian government has previously stated its rejection of this possibility. Another ambiguous point concerns how and when the call for “integration across all Syrian territories” ceasefire will be implemented complete. While the agreement affirms the integration of YPG/SDF into the institutions of the Syrian Arab Republic and the restoration of Syria’s territorial integrity, it provides no timeline for this process information.

https://sana.sy/en/?p=349228

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/5/sdf-says-it-has-not-been-notified-of-reported-us-plan-for-syria-withdrawal

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/trump-says-turkey-holds-key-syrias-future-2024-12-16/

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/10/world/middleeast/syria-kurds-agreement.html