“We are committed to building a better future that guarantees the rights of all Syrians and achieves their aspirations for peace and dignity. We consider this agreement a real opportunity to build a new Syria that embraces its components and guarantees a good neighborhood,” Abdi said on X.
Abdi and Sharaa signed a landmark deal on Monday that seeks to integrate all civil and military institutions in Kurdish-controlled northeast Syria (Rojava) into the Syrian state apparatus. The agreement came despite the Rojava administration having rejected centralized rule in favor of decentralization after the fall of Bashar al-Assad.
The statement published by the Syrian Presidency said that “the Kurdish community is an indigenous community in the Syrian state, and the Syrian state guarantees its rights to citizenship and all its constitutional rights.”
The agreement also included a “ceasefire on all Syrian territories” and the return of displaced Syrians to their hometowns.
It is set to be implemented “no later than the end of the year,” according to the presidency’s statement.
The Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), the SDF’s political wing, lauded the agreement, stating it came at a “pivotal moment” and will be instrumental in building the new Syria.
“It seeks to establish a democratic and pluralistic state that respects the rights of all its Syrian components. This state will be founded on a constitution that reflects the will of Syrians, both men and women,” the SDC statement said.
But the statement yet again called for decentralization, despite the central authorities in Damascus vehemently condemning the concept.
“Syria is for all Syrians. It should be a democratic, pluralistic, and decentralized state, one that honors the sacrifices made by its people,” the SDC affirmed.
Following a swift offensive, a coalition of rebel groups led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) - headed by Sharaa - on December 8 toppled the Bashar al-Assad regime. Sharaa was in late January appointed as Syria’s interim President.
After his appointment, Sharaa vowed to uphold the rights of all ethnic and religious groups. However, the international community has repeatedly censured the new Damascus leadership for its treatment of Syria’s minority groups.
