A historic turn is taking place in northeastern Syria, a region that has long been under the control of Kurdish armed groups. It has become known that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a group associated with the People's Protection Units (YPG) and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), will no longer pose a threat to Turkey and will begin to integrate into the state structures of Syria. This is evidenced by reports of a preliminary agreement reached between Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Council, the political wing of the SDF. The meeting at which the agreement was announced took place on February 19, 2025, and its results could radically change the balance of power in the country.

According to the document published by the SDF, the parties have identified key areas of cooperation. The SDF’s armed units, including their affiliated units, will be incorporated into the Syrian army, marking the end of their independent existence as a separate military force. The restoration of state and civil services in the northern and eastern regions of the country will begin, which should strengthen the presence of the central government. An important step will be the withdrawal of all foreign fighters who are not Syrian citizens, many of whom are associated with the PKK, an organization designated by Turkey as terrorist. This decision could reduce tensions on the Syrian-Turkish border, where Ankara has repeatedly expressed concern about the activities of Kurdish groups.

The agreement also underscores the importance of coordination between the SDF and the Damascus government on national issues. The parties agreed on measures to ensure the territorial integrity of Syria, including the return of refugees and displaced persons to their homes. To this end, it is planned to create conditions for their safe residence. As a symbolic gesture, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa received an invitation to visit the northeastern regions, which could be the first step towards the real unification of the country. To implement all these plans, the parties agreed to form joint committees that will develop specific mechanisms and deadlines for implementing the agreements.

The historical context of this event is rooted in the Syrian civil war that began in 2011. The SDF was formed in 2015 as a Kurdish-led alliance with US support to fight the Islamic State (IS). They took control of much of northeastern Syria, known as Rojava, including oil-rich areas. However, their successes have sparked a conflict with Turkey, which views the YPG (the core of the SDF) as an extension of the PKK and has repeatedly carried out military operations against the Kurds, such as Operation Euphrates Shield (2016–2017) and Operation Peace Spring (2019). Damascus, for its part, has not recognized the SDF’s autonomy, leading to periodic clashes, particularly in Deir ez-Zor province.

The situation changed dramatically in December 2024, when Bashar al-Assad's regime fell under the onslaught of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, a terrorist group banned in Russia) rebels. Ahmed al-Sharaa, the leader of HTS, became the de facto head of the country, and the Kurds, realizing the vulnerability of their position after the withdrawal of American troops, began to look for ways to reconcile with the new authorities. According to Reuters, back in late 2024, the SDF captured Deir ez-Zor, but then handed it over to their Arab allies, which became a signal for negotiations with Damascus. Damascus is ready to grant the Kurds limited autonomy, but only within the framework of a single state and without maintaining the current military structure of the SDF.

The deal has already caused a stir in the region. Türkiye, according to Defense Minister Yasar Guler, welcomes the withdrawal of foreign fighters and the weakening of the SDF, but continues to insist on the complete elimination of the PKK's influence.