At a moment when northeastern Syria seemed on the brink of a major military confrontation following the stumbling meeting between Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa' and the Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Mazloum Abdi, which lasted for five hours, the announcement by the Syrian presidency of reaching a preliminary understanding turned the situation upside down. It opened a new door to a complex settlement sponsored by the United States, reshaping the relationship between the Syrian state and the SDF after days of battles and clashes.

While field indicators pointed towards significant escalation, the Syrian presidency announced in an official statement the reaching of an initial agreement with the SDF regarding the future of Al-Hasakah province. This agreement grants a four-day period for consultation and the development of an executive mechanism to integrate the regions and institutions within the Syrian state.

According to the statement, it was agreed that Syrian forces would not enter the centers of the cities of Al-Hasakah and Qamishli at this stage, only positioning on their outskirts, with a future timetable to be discussed for full integration, including the city and its countryside. The agreement also stipulates that no military forces will enter the Kurdish villages, with local security forces from the area's residents responsible for maintaining security.

The understanding also included notable political and security clauses, including nominating Abdi for the post of Deputy Minister of Defense and another for the position of Governor of Al-Hasakah, as well as names to represent the region in the People's Assembly. SDF members are to be integrated into the Ministries of Defense and Interior as individuals, not as an independent entity. It was also emphasized to implement Decree No. 13 regarding cultural and linguistic rights for the Kurds, within the unity of the Syrian state.

Damascus: No Place for the SDF as an Independent Entity
Sources in the Syrian Ministry of Information confirmed to "Annahar" that if implemented, the agreement effectively means the complete dissolution of the SDF and the end of its existence as an independent military organization, integrating security and military members into state structures as individuals, not as military units.

Official sources confirmed that the state is proceeding to extend its sovereignty over the entire Syrian geography, explaining that state institutions will return to direct supervision over Al-Hasakah and Qamishli, and that prisons and vital installations will be placed under the authority of Damascus.

Syrian sources revealed to the German Press Agency that the meeting held between Al-Sharaa' and Abdi on Monday failed due to the latter's refusal to hand over the administration of Al-Hasakah to the state. He requested time to consult with the SDF leadership linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which was met with a decisive rejection from the Syrian president, who informed him of the necessity of making a final decision before the end of the day, or the state would consider the matter concluded.

A wall reads in Arabic: Syria is better.. Neither Assad nor SDF, in Al-Shaddadi city in Syria, south of Al-Hasakah in northeastern Syria. (AFP)

Washington Decides Its Stance
The most notable stance came from Washington itself. Following the Syrian presidency’s announcement, the U.S. envoy to Syria, Tom Barack, published a lengthy tweet clearly outlining the new American position, affirming that “the greatest opportunity for the Kurds today lies in full integration within the Syrian state.”

Barack explained that the American presence in northeastern Syria was purely linked to combating ISIS, and this role has essentially ended after the defeat of the organization, and the Syrian government's joining the international coalition to combat it. He added that Damascus is now a capable partner in handling the security file, including managing prisons and camps.

He confirmed that Washington sponsored the January 18th agreement and is striving to implement it as a final framework for integrating the SDF into the Syrian state, pointing out that the United States does not support any separatist or federal projects, but seeks Syria’s unity and stability.

Barack considered that the agreement opens up a historic opportunity for the Kurds to gain their political and cultural rights within the Syrian state, including recognition of identity, language, and participation in governance, warning that any attempt at secession could lead to chaos or the return of ISIS.

This was accompanied by the announcement of the Syrian presidency that Al-Sharaa' discussed developments in Syria by phone with U.S. President Donald Trump, where both sides stressed supporting Syria’s territorial integrity, ensuring Kurdish rights, and continuing cooperation in combating terrorism.
Both sides confirmed the importance of giving Syria a real chance for stability and rejecting any partitioning projects or imposing a fait accompli by force.

The SDF Commits to the Agreement
On the other hand, the SDF’s stance initially seemed hesitant, as Abdi made statements saying that his forces were compelled to retreat to the Kurdish areas in the north and east of Syria to protect them, describing the defense of these areas as a “red line.”

He accused what he called “the transitional Syrian government forces” of launching attacks on Al-Hasakah and Kobani, targeting Al-Hol camp and Al-Shaddadi prison, pointing to extensive assault attempts involving armored vehicles and tanks before his forces had to withdraw.

Abdi called on the international coalition to intervene to protect the detention centers of ISIS elements, urging Damascus to cease attacks and return to the negotiation table.

Following the publication of Abdi’s statements by Hawar Kurdish agency, the SDF issued a positive statement announcing their commitment to the cease-fire that was agreed upon with the Damascus government.

They stated: “We affirm that we will not initiate any military actions unless our forces are attacked in the future,” emphasizing their “openness” to “political paths, negotiation solutions, and dialogue,” and “the readiness to move forward in implementing the January 18th agreement in the interest of calm and stability.”

This advanced position is the first since the signing of the mentioned agreement, and the contradiction between the positions may be interpreted as Abdi’s statements preceding the agreement, although their publication came after its announcement.

A Crucial Crossroad
What is happening in northeastern Syria today goes beyond being a political or security dispute, forming a historical crossroads. Either the process of integrating the SDF into the Syrian state with direct American support succeeds, ending a decade and a half of division and chaos, or Kurdish hesitation leads to a new confrontation that reshuffles the cards in one of Syria's most sensitive areas.

Current indicators suggest that Washington has decided in favor of Damascus, and the era of parallel entities is nearing its end. However, the last moment's decision remains in the hands of the SDF leadership: integration under the state’s conditions, or facing political and field isolation that may carry a high cost.