Syria-Kurdish peace talks advance as integration looms

Peace talks between Syria and Kurdish fighters are gaining momentum with a proposal to integrate three militia units into the central army as reported by The National on October 31st.

Recent talks represent an ongoing process of attempts to integrate the Syrian Democratic Force (SDF), a Kurdish led militia into the post Bashar Al Assad order. However, no final agreement has come to fruition as the SDF continues to demand international guarantees for any arrangement to ensure security and autonomy after integration. 

Talks of integration in the post Assad order have been marred by tensions, most recently following the death of two Syrian soldiers by a missile allegedly launched by the SDF. The SDF denied the allegation claiming the soldiers were killed by a landmine explosion. The brief conflict came to a halt with a U.S. brokered ceasefire. This was followed by the SDF handing over detained government troops as a “gesture of goodwill”, therefore creating a platform for the continuation of integration talks. 

Syrian sources, which are familiar with the talks, have claimed discussions of integration have intensified since the October 7th ceasefire due to US pressure. The sources added that talks have focused on integration across three northern provinces: Raqaa and Deir Ezzor, which are largely Arab provinces, as well as Hasakah which has a large Kurdish population. Syrian officers would share command in Raqaa and Deir Ezzor, whilst having a smaller role in Hasakah which will be predominantly under SDF control, according to the Syrian sources.

Under the plan, three SDF counter-terrorism units would remain under Kurdish command. In a statement referring to the SDF leader one source said “this sounds good to [SDF commander Mazloum] Abdi, because the Kurds would retain significant authority. But he does not trust that the arrangement would last,” noting his demand for U.S. and Western guarantees.

Whilst Damascus appears willing to grant limited control to Kurdish regions, Turkey, the primary backer of the current government, views any formal recognition of SDF gains as “a step toward partition.” Observers warn that if the talks collapse, the SDF may retrench in Hasakah, risking renewed instability across northern Syria.

The National, Maghrebi.org