SDF, Damascus reach preliminary deal to integrate forces
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Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) leader Mazloum Abdi announced a preliminary agreement with Damascus to integrate Kurdish-led military and security forces into Syria's defense and interior ministries.
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In this Wednesday, March 6, 2019, photo, a member of US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) stands guard outside Baghouz, Syria. (AP Photo/Gabriel Chaim)
The commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Mazloum Abdi, announced that a preliminary agreement had been reached with Syria's transitional government in Damascus to begin integrating his forces into the country's ministries of defense and interior, according to an interview with AFP on Sunday.
Abdi met last week in Damascus with Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, along with US envoy Tom Barrack and US commander Brad Cooper, in the latest round of talks aimed at implementing a stalled March agreement.
Renewed push for integration
The Kurdish-led SDF, which controls much of Syria's oil-rich northeast, had signed an agreement with transitional Syrian authorities in March to merge its civil and military institutions into national structures. However, the deal had remained largely unfulfilled until now.
"What is new in our recent talks in Damascus is the shared determination and strong will to accelerate the implementation of the terms of the agreement," Abdi told AFP from a military base in the northeastern city of Hasakeh.
"The most important point is having reached a preliminary agreement regarding the mechanism for integrating the SDF and the (Kurdish) Internal Security Forces within the framework of defense and interior ministries," he added.
The SDF and its affiliated Kurdish security forces, which are backed by Washington, count about 100,000 male and female fighters. The group played a key role in safeguarding areas under US military occupation in northeastern Syria against ISIS forces.
Abdi said SDF military and security delegations are currently in Damascus to discuss the technical framework for integration.
Remaining disagreements and political demands
Following the fall of longtime Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad in December, interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced the dissolution of all armed groups, calling for their absorption into state institutions.
Abdi explained that "the SDF will be restructured through its integration into the defense ministry," as part of several new formations. However, he acknowledged that some political disagreements remain unresolved.
"We demand a decentralised system in Syria... we have not agreed on it," he said, noting that discussions are ongoing to "find a common formula acceptable to all."
He noted that both sides "agree on the territorial integrity of Syria, the unity of national symbols, the independence of political decision-making in the country, and the fight against terrorism."
"We all agree that Syria should not return to the era of war, and that there should be stability and security. I believe these factors are sufficient for us to reach a permanent agreement," Abdi said.
Calls for constitutional guarantees
During his last meeting with al-Sharaa, Abdi said he urged changes to the constitutional declaration announced in March, particularly on clauses related to Kurdish rights.
"During the last meeting with al-Sharaa, I called for modifying or adding some clauses to the existing constitutional declaration, particularly those related to guaranteeing the rights of the Kurdish people in the constitution," he said. "There was a positive response to this matter, and we hope this will happen soon."
Abdi also expressed gratitude to the United States and France for facilitating the ongoing talks with Damascus.
Turkey's role and the oil question
Asked about Turkey, a key backer of Damascus and a longtime adversary of the SDF, Abdi said that "any success of the negotiations will certainly depend on Türkiye's role," voicing hope that Ankara would play "a supportive and contributing role in the ongoing negotiation process."
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier urged the SDF to "keep their word" and "complete their integration with Syria."
As for Syria's oil reserves, Abdi said that while "we have not yet discussed the oil issue," it will "certainly be addressed in upcoming meetings."
"Oil and other underground resources in northeastern Syria belong to all Syrians, and their revenues must be distributed fairly across all Syrian provinces," he added.
