ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Most of the obstacles hindering the integration of the institutions of northeast Syria (Rojava) in Hasaka province into the Syrian state have been resolved, Governor Nour al-Din Issa Ahmed said Saturday, expressing optimism that the process would accelerate in the coming days following positive talks between officials from both sides.
The Hasaka Governor told Rudaw’s Nushin Heme late Saturday that in the meetings “most of the files related to the integration process and the activation of public administration and institutions were discussed," adding that “the obstacles hindering this process were resolved so that work and operations can proceed more quickly in the coming days."
This follows a January 29 ceasefire agreement between Damascus forces and the Rojava’s de facto army, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), after weeks of fighting. The deal outlined a framework for integrating SDF-affiliated military and administrative institutions into Syrian state structures.
It also provided for the Syrian state to assume control of civil institutions, border crossings, and official entry points.
The Hasaka governor clarified that opening the Nusaybin border crossing, which links Rojava’s Qamishli city with the Turkish city of Nusaybin, requires time and has currently been postponed. He further added that it will not take place this week.
Ahmed emphasized that "We will take new and positive steps within this week. The situation is good in every aspect, and the results of the meetings were very positive."
Since the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, negotiations between the SDF and Syria’s interim government have been marked by mistrust. Damascus has pushed to centralize authority, while Kurdish leaders have sought decentralized rule for Rojava.
Still, the January agreement accelerated integration. Authorities in Damascus have appointed an SDF-linked governor for Hasaka, a deputy defense minister for former SDF-held areas, and a deputy head of internal security forces in the province.
