Background on Key Figures and Context
Ahmed al Sharaa, the interim President of Syria, recently announced an agreement with Mazloum Abdi, the leader of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). This development comes after years of U.S. support for the Kurds, who have been instrumental in combating ISIS in Syria. However, the U.S. also backs the new Syrian authorities.
Al Sharaa, who previously led the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS), a splinter of Al Qaeda, now faces the challenge of uniting a war-torn and divided nation. His recent rise to power was marked by an offensive that forced former President Bashar al-Assad to flee.
Key Points of the Agreement
The 14-point agreement, published by the presidency, includes:
- Integration of SDF and Kurdish security forces into the Defense and Interior Ministries;
- Immediate transfer of control of Kurdish provinces Deir Ezzor and Raqqa to the Syrian government;
- Assumption of responsibility by Damascus for the custody of ISIS prisoners and their families held in Kurdish-controlled prisons and camps.
Actions Taken by Syrian Forces
Syrian forces recovered the city of Tabqa in Deir Ezzor province on Sunday morning, according to a local NGO. Kurdish-dominated SDF forces withdrew from all areas under their control in eastern Deir Ezzor province, including the al Omar oil field, overnight Sunday. This site has been under Kurdish control since 2017, when they expelled ISIS.
Last week, Syrian forces expelled Kurdish forces from two Aleppo neighborhoods, the northern city’s largest. Over the weekend, they gained control of an area east of Aleppo.
In Tabqa, Syrian authorities announced control of the main dam.
“We Seek Security”
Ismail al Omar, a 43-year-old farmer, stated that many residents “stay at home due to fear” when asked about the situation. Meanwhile, Ahmad Husein expressed hope that “the situation will improve with the arrival of the Syrian army.”
In a message on X, the U.S. Central Command (Centcom) urged the Syrian government to “cease any offensive actions in areas between Aleppo and Tabqa” on Saturday.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Ahmed al Sharaa? He is the interim President of Syria, who previously led the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS).
- What is the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)? The SDF is a military force dominated by Kurds, which has been crucial in combating ISIS in Syria with support from the U.S.
- What is the significance of the 14-point agreement? The agreement aims to integrate SDF forces into Syrian ministries, transfer control of Kurdish provinces to the government, and manage ISIS prisoners and their families.
- What recent actions have Syrian forces taken? They recovered Tabqa, expelled Kurdish forces from Aleppo neighborhoods, and gained control of areas east of Aleppo.
