Milestone Agreement Between Syrian Government and Kurds: A Path to Unity and Reconciliation

On March 10, a pivotal agreement was signed between Syria’s interim government and Kurdish-led SDF to unify the nation. This deal aims to integrate institutions and acknowledges Kurdish rights, but its future remains uncertain due to recent violence and a controversial constitutional declaration. Economic cooperation over oil fields is also a vital aspect of the agreement, which garners both international support and substantial challenges in execution.

On March 10, a significant agreement was established between Syria’s interim government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in an effort to unify the Syrian Arab Republic. The future of this deal remains uncertain, especially following the recent constitutional declaration. This pivotal agreement aims to integrate both military and civilian institutions into a cohesive Syrian state at a time when President Ahmad Al-Sharaa seeks greater legitimacy amidst increasing scrutiny internationally regarding violence against minority Alawites by allied militias.

Nanar Hawach, a senior Syria analyst at the International Crisis Group, emphasized that the timing of this deal is critical due to ongoing security challenges, including massacres on the coast and Israeli actions in southern Syria. He asserted that these pressures contributed to Damascus’ decision to proceed with this agreement, which, if implemented, has the potential to significantly alter Syria’s post-war landscape.

Analyst Mutlu Civiroglu notes that the signing of this agreement by SDF commander-in-chief Mazloum Abdi allows President Al-Sharaa to position himself as a leader who acknowledges and represents diverse identities in Syria’s future. Abdi is highly regarded among various communities, including Kurds, Alawites, Druze, and Christians, which enhances both parties’ credibility in this reconciliation effort.

Recent attacks on Alawite communities have provoked condemnation from the Kurdish factions unified under the SDF and the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES). Abdi described these incidents as a “systematic campaign against Syria’s minorities,” prompting calls for intervention from the interim government to halt ongoing violence.

Following the deadly ambush by Assad loyalists on March 6 that resulted in significant casualties and reprisal attacks, there are reports that thousands of displaced Alawites are seeking the SDF’s protective presence in their regions. The agreement recognizes the Kurdish community as indigenous to Syria, ensuring their right to citizenship and constitutional rights, and seeks to establish a ceasefire in SDF-controlled areas that have been under attack.

Furthermore, the accord delineates economic cooperation, particularly concerning oil, which Landis from the Center for Middle East Studies highlights as crucial for Syria’s revenue generation. While the interim government will gain control over oil fields, the Kurds are set to receive half of the proceeds, indicative of a mutual benefit that could catalyze foreign investment in Syria’s devastated energy sector.

The potential revitalization of Syria’s oil production, which has plummeted drastically since the onset of conflict, is essential for the country’s reconstruction, estimated to cost around $400 billion. Should this agreement be successfully implemented, it could provide substantial economic rewards and commence efforts against insurgent groups like Daesh, while fostering better governance and stability.

The deal has garnered international approval, including from the United Nations and various regional countries. However, challenges remain regarding the practical execution of the agreement, as noted by Hawach and Landis. Key military and governance details are yet to be resolved, and the Kurds remain firm in their demand for autonomy similar to that of the Kurdish forces in Iraq.

The interim president’s reluctance to grant autonomy to minorities and the lack of recognition for Kurdish rights in the new constitutional framework raise concerns about the sincerity of this reconciliation effort. Following a new interim constitution that centralizes power, the SDF rejected this declaration, advocating for a system based on genuine national consensus that recognizes the rights of all Syrian communities.

The recent agreement between Syria’s interim government and the Kurdish-led SDF aims to unify the Syrian state amidst ongoing violence and instability. While it presents a landmark opportunity for national reconciliation and could potentially reshape Syria’s socio-political landscape, several challenges remain. The success of this deal is contingent upon effective execution, particularly concerning military integration and the recognition of minority rights. The path forward requires a commitment to addressing the complexities of governance and autonomy for diverse communities within Syria.

Original Source: www.arabnews.com