On March 10, 2025, Syria's interim president, Ahmed al-Charaa, and the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Mazloum Abdi, signed a major agreement that could signal a turning point in Syria's and its neighbors' recent histories. The accord calls for the integration of the autonomous Kurdish structures of northern and eastern Syria into the Syrian state. It signifies a fresh start for a country devastated by more than a decade of civil conflict, and it might have profound consequences not only for Syria but also for international geopolitics.
Since 2011, Syria has been involved in a complicated struggle defined by the collapse of central authority under Bashar al-Assad's regime, military intervention by international forces, and the formation of groups such as the Islamic State (IS). In response to regime repression and the progress of IS, Syrian Kurds established Rojava, an autonomous region in the country's north and east. This region, governed by the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), has played a critical role in the war against IS while also establishing its own political and military institutions.
To better understand the situation of those involved in this agreement, we first need to know who the Kurds are in Syria. It is estimated that there are between 30 and 45 million Kurdish people. Kurdistan, which is currently divided into Iranian, Iraqi, Turkish, and Syrian Kurdistan, is home to the majority of Kurdish people. While they account for 10 to 15% of the Syrian population, they have long been marginalized and denied rights under Bashar`s rule.
In fact, Kurds in Syria have faced decades of discrimination, including losing citizenship in 1962, forced displacement under Arabization policies, and bans on their language and political activities. These measures were meant to suppress their identity and rights.
Since the outbreak of the conflict in 2011, Syrian Kurds have played an important role, largely through their autonomy in the Rojava region, where they have created the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Prior to the onset of the civil war in 2011, Syria's Kurdish population faced systemic marginalization under the Baathist regime, including denial of citizenship, cultural suppression and political exclusion.
These forces, mostly made up of Kurds, played an important role in the war against the Islamic State. In addition, the Kurds want to safeguard their cultural rights and ensure their political autonomy in a territory rich in ethnic and religious variety. Their presence and influence in Syria are therefore linked to a struggle for identity and greater recognition of their rights in a country marked by ethnic and religious tensions.
Syria is home to a complex mosaic of ethnic and religious groups. The majority of the population is Sunni Muslim, but there are also significant communities of Alawites (a Shia sect, historically dominant in government), Christians (including Assyrians, Armenians, and Arab Christians), Druze, and Ismailis. Ethnically, aside from Arabs, there are Kurds, Armenians, Turkmens, and smaller minority groups. Hence, tensions have long existed due to political and social inequalities, with the Alawite-led government historically favoring its own sect while repressing Sunni political movements. Meanwhile, minorities like Kurds faced state-imposed Arabization policies. The civil war further deepened these divisions, as different groups aligned with or against the regime based on sectarian and ethnic lines.
Then, despite their important contribution in fighting IS, the Kurds have long been neglected by the Syrian government. Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's dictatorship in 2024, Syria became divided amongst several forces, with many organizations struggling for political power. Against this backdrop, Ahmed al-Charaa, the chosen interim president, attempted to establish a unified Syrian state and unite the country's many factions, especially the Kurds.
Indeed, the accord reached on March 10 by al-Charaa and Abdi signifies a significant step forward in the creation of a new Syria based on peaceful coexistence among the country's various ethnic and religious populations. The agreement calls for the incorporation of Kurdish formations into Syrian state institutions. This comprises both civil authority and FDS military units.
For many observers, this accord represents a historic moment in Syria's recent history. It symbolizes the end of an era in which the Kurds were primarily viewed as the regime's opponents, opening the door for a national reconciliation agenda. The signing of this deal could also herald a realignment of power in Syria, with formerly disadvantaged ethnic groups and areas aiming to increase their influence in a war-torn country.
Additionally, the accord will have significant repercussions on regional geopolitics, particularly for Syria's neighbors. Turkey, which views the SDF as an extension of the PKK, could view this integration as a threat and react with diplomatic tensions or military offensives against the Syrian Kurds. In Iraq, where the Kurds already enjoy autonomy, this agreement
could strengthen their ties with the Syrian Kurds and encourage other demands for autonomy in the region.
At the same time, the situation of the Alawites, an ethnic group historically linked to Bashar al-Assad's regime, reflects the repercussions of these changes. Since the fall of the Assad regime, the Alawites, who occupied a central position in maintaining power, have faced a period of uncertainty. The decline of central authority and the emergence of new alliances in the country have left them in a delicate situation, where fragility and the quest for repositioning dominate. The agreement between the Syrian state and the Kurds can thus be seen as a revelation of the new balance of power, an adjustment that could redefine the future of the Alawites, who now find themselves at a political crossroads, between preserving their former allies and the imperative of adapting to a new geopolitical reality in the throes of transformation.
Therefore, this agreement could be seen as the beginning of a new era for Syria, where regional and ethnic actors, once at odds, seek to coexist under a single banner. However, many challenges remain, such as the integration of Kurdish forces into the Syrian state, maintaining peace in a region scarred by decades of war, and tensions with neighbouring countries. This compromise shows that, even after more than ten years of civil war, Syria may have a chance to rebuild a more inclusive and stable political structure.
In this context, this agreement is not only a victory for Syria, but also a signal for the entire region, where questions of sovereignty, nationality, and autonomy remain crucial.
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