Syrian Kurdish leader Mazloum Abdi has announced the complete integration of Kurdish military, administrative, and security institutions into the Syrian central state, ending months of transition following a deal with Damascus.
Speaking at an event in Qamishli in northeastern Syria, the commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces stated that the phase of integrating local institutions into national state bodies was now finished. He added that the region was entering a new phase.
The announcement follows months of delicate negotiations between Kurdish leadership and the Syrian government. The two sides signed an agreement in January to absorb Kurdish-run institutions into the central authority after clashes broke out between government forces and Kurdish fighters.
Those clashes saw Kurdish forces lose control of significant territory across northern Syria under military pressure from Damascus. The resulting agreement dissolved long-held Kurdish ambitions for regional autonomy, cementing the return of central government authority.
Concessions and language rights
During the height of the unrest, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa signed a decree in January safeguarding the national rights of the Kurdish minority. The decree recognised Kurdish as a national language, an unprecedented measure since Syrian independence in 1946.
Government officials in Ankara also affirmed their position on the political transition, pledging that Turkey would continue to protect the integrity and sovereignty of Syria with determination.
Years of conflict and shift in power
During the Syrian civil war, which lasted from 2011 to 2024, Kurdish forces backed by Western allies expanded their control over broad swathes of northern and northeastern Syria. Acting as the spearhead in the fight against jihadist militants, the Kurdish administration established self-ruling institutions across the region.
The political landscape shifted dramatically after Islamist rebel coalitions ousted President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Syria's new authorities immediately sought to stabilize and unify the country. Under military pressure from Damascus one year later, Kurdish forces withdrew from major northern areas, paving the way for full integration into the state.
