America Comments on Agreement to Integrate Syrian Democratic Forces into State Institutions in Syria
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Washington welcomes the agreement between Syria’s new government and the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), where Kurds form the main faction. Rubio emphasized the importance of this step toward unifying Syria.
Details of the Integration Agreement
On Monday, the Syrian presidency announced that the Syrian Democratic Forces, which control large parts of northeastern Syria, signed an agreement to join the new state institutions. This move aims to integrate the SDF into the broader framework of Syria’s governance, marking a significant shift in the region’s political landscape.
Rubio’s Statement on Unified Syria
In a statement, Rubio said, “The United States welcomes the recently announced agreement between the Syrian interim authorities and the Syrian Democratic Forces to integrate the northeast into a unified Syria.” He further underscored the U.S. commitment to supporting a credible and non-sectarian political transition as the best path to avoid further conflict. Rubio also noted that the U.S. will continue monitoring the interim authorities’ decisions while expressing concern over recent deadly violence against minorities.
Terms of the Agreement
The agreement stipulates the integration of civilian and military institutions controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces in northeastern Syria into the state framework. This includes placing border crossings, an airport, and oil and gas fields under the control of the Damascus administration, signaling a broader consolidation of authority.
Challenges Facing Syria’s New Government
The agreement comes at a critical juncture for Damascus, as the new government grapples with the fallout from accusations of mass killings of Alawite minority members in western Syria. President Ahmed al-Sharaa stated on Monday that this violence threatens his efforts to unify the country after 14 years of conflict. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and witnesses have reported the deaths of hundreds of civilians in villages predominantly populated by the Alawite sect, to which ousted President Bashar al-Assad belongs, increasing pressure on the government to investigate.
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