U.S. Endorses Syrian Agreement with Kurds for Non-Sectarian Governance
The United States has endorsed a deal between the Syrian central government and the Kurdish-led SDF, aiming to integrate Kurdish forces into state institutions. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the need for non-sectarian governance and expressed concern regarding violence against minorities. The agreement includes a ceasefire and support for SDF against pro-Assad fighters, marking a significant political shift in Syria.
The United States has expressed its approval of Syria’s recent agreement to incorporate the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the national institutions of the Syrian government. This endorsement follows a deal struck between the Syrian presidency and the SDF that grants the central government authority over a semi-autonomous region managed by the Kurdish-led alliance since 2015.
The integration deal was announced by Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and SDF commander Mazloum Abdi, aiming to merge all civil and military institutions in northeastern Syria into the national administration. This includes crucial assets such as an airport and oil and gas fields.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio underscored the importance of the agreement, stating that the United States supports a political transition towards non-sectarian governance to prevent further conflict. He noted with concern the recent violence targeting minorities and emphasized that the decisions made by interim authorities will be closely monitored.
This significant political development follows the fall of President Bashar al-Assad and occurs amid rising tensions due to violent incidents in the Alawite minority’s heartland. The agreement aims to foster a ceasefire throughout Syria, bolster SDF support against pro-Assad fighters, and affirm the Kurdish population’s essential role within the nation’s citizenship and constitutional framework.
While discussions regarding the SDF’s integration into the Syrian state have been ongoing since the fall of al-Assad, prior negotiations struggled due to doubts about the SDF’s commitment compared to other opposition forces. The partnership between the U.S. and the SDF, established during the campaign against the ISIS regime, has complicated relations with Turkey, which perceives the SDF as linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, classified as a terrorist organization by Ankara.
The recent agreement to integrate the SDF into Syrian government structures marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s political landscape. With continued U.S. support for a non-sectarian governance approach, the deal seeks to stabilize the region amidst ongoing violence and disputes. The situation remains delicate, particularly regarding U.S. relations with Turkey, as the integration process unfolds.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
