Syria and Kurdish Forces Race to Salvage Integration Deal 

Syrian, Kurdish, and U.S. officials are intensifying last-minute diplomacy to show progress on a stalled agreement to integrate Kurdish-led forces into the Syrian state before a year-end deadline. While talks have accelerated, officials involved caution that any announcement is likely to fall short of full military integration, underscoring the fragility of Syria’s post-war transition and the risk of renewed conflict.

Urgent Talks as Deadline Looms

Officials from Syria’s interim government, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and the United States are scrambling to demonstrate movement on a long-delayed integration deal ahead of a December 31 deadline, according to multiple sources familiar with the negotiations.

Sources speaking to Reuters said discussions have picked up pace in recent days, despite mounting frustrations over repeated delays and mutual accusations of bad faith. Several officials cautioned that while dialogue has intensified, expectations for a comprehensive breakthrough remain low.

The integration of Kurdish forces into the Syrian state is widely viewed as the most significant unresolved fault line following the collapse of former President Bashar al-Assad’s regime nearly a year ago.

Damascus Puts Forward New Proposal

According to five sources, the interim Syrian government has submitted a new proposal to the SDF, which controls much of northeast Syria. Under the plan, Damascus signaled openness to the SDF reorganizing its estimated 50,000 fighters into three main divisions alongside smaller brigades.

In exchange, the SDF would be required to relinquish certain chains of command and allow Syrian army units access to territory currently under Kurdish control. One Syrian official, one Western official, and three Kurdish officials confirmed the outline of the proposal.

The plan reflects elements previously floated by the SDF itself, though it remains unclear whether it would be sufficient to resolve core disputes over autonomy and territorial authority.

‘Save Face’ Measures Likely

Several sources downplayed the prospects of a full agreement before the deadline, suggesting any near-term announcement would primarily serve to “save face,” preserve stability, and justify extending talks into 2026.

One SDF official said negotiators are closer than ever to an understanding, but acknowledged that full integration into the military and other state institutions—as envisioned in a landmark March 10 agreement—remains out of reach.

A Western official said any declaration in coming days would likely be aimed at extending the deadline rather than concluding negotiations, in order to avoid destabilizing a country still emerging from 14 years of war.

Risk of Renewed Conflict

Failure to bridge the divide between Damascus and the SDF raises the risk of armed confrontation, potentially drawing in Türkiye, which has repeatedly threatened military action against Kurdish fighters it considers terrorists.

Since talks stalled following a major round of negotiations during the summer, tensions have escalated across northern Syria, with frequent skirmishes reported along several front lines.

The SDF gained control over much of northeast Syria after defeating Islamic State militants in 2019, securing territory that includes most of the country’s oil and wheat production.

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Mutual Distrust and U.S. Mediation

Both Damascus and the SDF accuse each other of delaying negotiations. Kurdish officials remain reluctant to relinquish the autonomy they secured during the war, particularly control over Islamic State detention facilities and energy resources.

Resentment toward SDF governance has also grown among the predominantly Arab population in the northeast, fueled by compulsory conscription and local grievances.

The United States, which backs Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s interim government and has called for international support, has acted as an intermediary—relaying messages, facilitating talks, and urging both sides to reach an agreement.

The U.S. State Department declined to comment on last-minute efforts to secure a deal before the deadline.

Deadline Disputed, Türkiye Warns

A senior Syrian official said the year-end deadline remains firm and that only “irreversible steps” by the SDF could justify an extension.

By contrast, Kurdish officials have downplayed the importance of the deadline, arguing that substance matters more than timing. Sihanouk Dibo, an official with Syria’s autonomous administration, said negotiations could extend into mid-2026 to resolve all outstanding issues.

“The most reliable guarantee for the agreement’s continued validity lies in its content, not the timeframe,” Dibo said.

Türkiye, however, has issued increasingly blunt warnings. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Ankara does not seek a military solution but cautioned that its patience with the SDF is “running out.”

Uncertain Path Forward

The SDF proposed in October to reorganize itself into three geographic divisions and smaller brigades, a concession now echoed in Damascus’s latest proposal. Whether this will persuade Kurdish leaders to relinquish territorial control remains uncertain.

Abdel Karim Omar, the Kurdish-led administration’s representative in Damascus, said the proposal includes “logistical and administrative details that could cause disagreement and lead to delays.”

A senior Syrian official described the proposal as flexible and designed to facilitate implementation of the March agreement, though key political and security questions remain unresolved.

As the deadline approaches, negotiators face mounting pressure to avert a breakdown that could derail Syria’s fragile recovery and reignite regional tensions.

Author: Suleiman Al-Khalidi
Additional Reporting: Timour Azhari
Source: Reuters

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