In a statement, the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES) said that the Monday agreement between Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and SDF chief Mazloum al-Abdi “is an important and historic agreement during a sensitive and difficult phase Syria is experiencing following the fall of the Baath regime.”
“It expresses our enduring position and our commitment to preserving the unity of Syrian territory and its social fabric, and is a positive and important step in bridging the gap between all Syrian parties,” the statement added.
The agreement seeks to integrate the Kurdish-led SDF into Syria’s state institutions, recognizes the Kurds as an integral part of Syrian society, includes a countrywide ceasefire, and stipulates the return of displaced Syrians to their hometowns.
The administration in Rojava further called the deal “an important and inspiring incentive to foster a spirit of partnership in shaping and building the future of a new Syria,” and one that could steer the country away from “the mentality of exclusion and tyranny.”
The SDF is the de facto army of Rojava.
The Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), which serves as the SDF’s political wing, told Rudaw on Tuesday that the deal was mediated by international actors, mainly the US.
On Wednesday, the US and EU welcomed the agreement, joining a slew of regional and international forces including the Kurdistan Region, Germany, France Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan.
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.
