After abrupt Kurdish retreat, Syrian troops consolidate their hold
On Monday, Syrian government forces tightened their grip across a large swath of territory in the north and east that was abruptly abandoned by Kurdish troops on Sunday. This dramatic change solidified President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s rule.
After fighting for days with the government, the Kurdish led?Syrian Democratic Forces, (SDF), which were once the main U.S. Allies in Syria, decided on Sunday to withdraw. This includes oil fields from two provinces that had a majority of Arabs.
The biggest change in Syria's political map has occurred since jihadist fighters under Sharaa ousted President Bashar al Assad in 2024. After months of deadlock, the balance of power was tilting in Sharaa’s favor after government demands that its forces fully merge with Damascus.
The neighbouring Turkey, which has sent troops into northern Syria repeatedly to curb Kurdish influence since 2016, welcomed an agreement signed between its ally Sharaa, and the SDF commander Mazloum Abdi. They expressed hope that it would bring stability and security.
Journalists saw government forces in Raqqa, which the SDF captured from Islamic State last year. They also saw them at oil and gas installations in Deir al-Zor in eastern province. Both areas were held by Kurdish forces for many years.
The SDF, led by the Kurdish YPG, had taken control of large areas in Syria during the civil war between 2011-2024, while fighting alongside U.S. forces against Islamic State. The United States has played a major role in mediating between the sides, as it has established strong ties with Sharaa since President Donald Trump took office.
In Raqqa the government's internal security forces, military police and other law enforcement agencies set up checkpoints to verify IDs.
Raqqa was cleared of SDF fighters over night, according to security sources. However, some snipers remained until Sunday evening.
A reporter in Deir al-Zor saw state security forces both at the al-Omar gas field and the largest oilfield in Syria, the al-Omar. Al-Omar has long been the SDF's primary base in the region.
Two guards stood at the gate of Conoco Field. A large Syrian military consignment was moving to al-Omar. The SDF was not visible.
SHARAA TO BE MEET BY SDF COMMANDER ON MONDAY
Abdi, SDF's commander, confirmed Sunday that the SDF has agreed to withdraw from Deir al-Zor, and Raqqa, two provinces with Arab majority. The 14-point agreement published by the?Syria presidency shows his signature next to Sharaa.
Kurdish media reported that Abdi would meet Sharaa on Monday in Damascus and share details of the deal with the public upon his return to SDF territory.
Abdi stated that his group was committed to protecting the "achievements' of the Kurdish area in the northeast.
This war was forced upon us. "We wanted to stop it, but because it was planned by many forces, we were forced into it," he told Kurdish media.
The SDF still controls the northeastern Hasaka province, which includes the Kurdish majority city of Qamishli as well as the main camps and jails that house?Islamic State militants and civilians who were captured following the group's defeat on Syria in 2017.
In the deal, it is stipulated that these sites, as well as all oil and gas fields and border crossings, will be turned over to Syrian government control. The SDF has long opposed this. The exact timing of the transfer of prisons and camps has not been announced.
The agreement?also states that all SDF units will be merged with the central interior and defence ministries as individuals and not as entire units as the SDF sought.
In the agreement, the SDF commits to expelling all non-Syrians affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers' Party. The PKK is a Kurdish militant organization that fought an insurgency for decades in Turkey.
Senior figures in the ruling AK Party of Turkish President Tayyip Erdoan said that this was a major step forward for Turkey's peace with PKK militants.
(source: Reuters)
