A historic agreement between Syria’s new leaders and its Kurdish groups is set to redefine governance in the northeast, yielding strategic benefits to both sides. The agreement provides for the integration of all military and civil organizations in the region, marking a move towards increased unity and cooperation in the face of continued regional turmoil.
For the Syrian regime, this deal secures its territorial influence and rule, lowering the threat of foreign intervention and internal fissures. By integrating Kurdish-led institutions into the national structure, Damascus aims to secure its authority and stabilize territories once under autonomous Kurdish control.
The Kurds, however, obtain a renitent political legitimacy and protection from this pact. With the peril of Turkish military campaigns and persistent tensions with other actors, an alliance between them and Syria’s central powers provides safety, resources, and a more secure system of governance. It may also lay the groundwork for later concessions on autonomy and rights through renitent Kurdish representation in the national government.
Though the deal offers gains for both parties, issues still exist. The level of Kurdish autonomy, institutions for power-sharing, and the reaction of regional powers, such as Turkey and the US, will determine the success of this integration in the long term.
