U.S. hails 'historic milestone' after Syrian gov't, Kurdish forces agree integration deal
"Both sides have taken courageous steps: Syrian gov't in extending meaningful inclusion and rights, the Kurds in embracing a framework that honors their contributions while advancing the common good"
The interim government of Syria and Kurdish forces agreed a ceasefire on Friday, averting a potentially bloody battle and drawing U.S. praise for a "historic milestone."
The terms of the deal include a phased integration of Kurdish fighters into the Syrian military and state forces.
Earlier this month forces under or allied with interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa captured swathes of northern and eastern Syria from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) group, forcing the Kurdish forces to retreat into a shrinking enclave in the northeast.
U.S. envoy Tom Barrack, closely involved in mediation efforts, declared the accord "a profound and historic milestone in Syria’s journey toward national reconciliation, unity, and enduring stability."
"Both sides have taken courageous steps: the Syrian government in extending meaningful inclusion and rights, and the Kurdish communities in embracing a unified framework that honors their contributions while advancing the common good," Barrack added.
The position of SDF, once Washington's main Syrian ally playing a vital part in the fight against the Islamic State, grew weaker as President Donald Trump built close ties with Sharaa, a former al Qaeda commander who has now brought almost all of Syria back under the authority of Damascus.
Under the deal, Kurdish militias massed along front lines in the north would pull back and regime forces would deploy to the cities of Hasakah and Qamishli in the northeast, both now held by the SDF.
The agreement includes the formation of a military division that will include three SDF brigades, in addition to a brigade for forces in the SDF-held town of Kobani, also known as Ain al-Arab, which will be affiliated to the governorate of Aleppo.
The Syrian official said the military division in the northeast would include "groups from the SDF within brigades, alongside other brigades".
Governing bodies set up by the Kurdish-led groups in the northeast are to be merged with state institutions, though it is understood the Kurds would retain the co-chair system developed under autonomy-minded Kurdish authorities, with one male director and one female director.
Damascus and the SDF first struck an integration deal last March, but made scant progress towards implementation before a year-end deadline, paving the way for the government offensive.