Damascus and SDF reach agreement: First statement from Barrack

The Syrian Presidency announced that an agreement has been reached with the SDF, the Syrian branch of the terrorist organization PKK/YPG, regarding issues concerning the Al-Hasakah province, and stated that the SDF has been given a 4-day period to prepare a detailed plan.

The Syrian Presidency announced that the government has reached an agreement with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) regarding the future of the Al-Hasakah province in military and administrative terms.

The agreement will begin to be implemented as of 20:00 local time.

The government has given the terrorist organization SDF four days to agree on the integration plan for Al-Hasakah.

It was noted that if the agreement is fully implemented, the Syrian army will not enter Al-Hasakah and Qamishli.

The Syrian Presidency's statement also noted that negotiations regarding the mechanism for integrating the SDF into the army will continue.

According to the statement, SDF leader Mazloum Abdi will also be nominated for the position of Deputy Minister of Defense of Syria.

STATEMENT FROM BARRACK AFTER THE AGREEMENT

US Ambassador to Ankara and Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack stated, "Syria now has a recognized central government that shows it will cooperate with the US in the fight against terrorism," and announced that the use of the SDF, the Syrian branch of the terrorist organization PKK/YPG, as a force against the terrorist organization ISIS has largely come to an end.

US Ambassador to Ankara and Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack made a statement following the agreement reached between the Syrian government and the SDF, the Syrian branch of the terrorist organization PKK/YPG, regarding the administrative and military integration of the city of Al-Hasakah into the central government. Barrack said, "The greatest opportunity for Kurds in Syria right now lies in the post-Assad transition process under the administration of the new government led by President Ahmed al-Shara," and stated that the new government offers a path for Kurds regarding citizenship rights, cultural protection, and full integration into a unified Syrian state with political participation. Barrack said, "These rights were long denied under the Bashar al-Assad regime, where many Kurds were subjected to statelessness, language restrictions, and systematic discrimination."

Stating that the US presence in Syria was primarily for operations against the terrorist organization ISIS, Barrack pointed out that the SDF was an effective partner against ISIS until 2019, but that there was no functional central Syrian state with which to form a partnership during that period. Barrack stated that the regime of ousted leader Bashar al-Assad was weak during that period and was in no position to be a valid partner against ISIS due to its alliances with Iran and Russia.

"The SDF's purpose as an anti-ISIS force has largely ended"

Pointing out that the situation in Syria has completely changed with the new administration established under the leadership of President Ahmed al-Shara, Barrack said, "Today, the situation has fundamentally changed. Syria now has a recognized central government that has joined the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, shows that it is turning to the West, and will cooperate with the US in the fight against terrorism. This has changed the rationale for the US-SDF partnership. Since Damascus is now willing and ready to assume security responsibilities, including the control of ISIS detention facilities and camps, the SDF's purpose as the primary anti-ISIS force on the ground has largely ended."

"The US has no interest in a long-term military presence"

Stating that the US supports the integration of the SDF into the new government rather than extending its role, Barrack said, "We have held comprehensive discussions with the Syrian government and SDF leadership to secure an integration agreement signed on January 18 and to establish a clear roadmap for its timely and peaceful implementation. The agreement integrates SDF fighters into the national army, transfers key infrastructure, and hands over control of ISIS prisons and camps to Damascus. The US has no interest in a long-term military presence. It prioritizes defeating the remnants of ISIS, supporting reconciliation, and advancing national unity without endorsing separatism or federalism."

"Integration into the new Syrian state offers rights far beyond semi-autonomy"

Emphasizing that Syria's new government creates a unique opportunity for Kurds, Barrack said, "Integration into the new Syrian state offers rights far beyond the semi-autonomy the SDF had in the chaos of the civil war, such as full citizenship rights, recognition as an integral part of Syria, constitutional protection of the Kurdish language and culture, and participation in governance."

Pointing out that while risks such as a fragile ceasefire environment persist, the US is pushing for the protection of Kurdish rights and cooperation against ISIS, Barrack said, "The alternative, prolonged separation, could lead to instability or the resurgence of ISIS. This integration, supported by US diplomacy, represents the strongest chance yet for Kurds to achieve lasting rights and security within a recognized Syrian nation-state."

Touching on the issues the US is focused on in Syria, Barrack said, "Currently, securing the prison facilities housing ISIS detainees guarded by the SDF, and facilitating negotiations between the SDF and the Syrian government to ensure the peaceful integration of the SDF and the political inclusion of Syria's Kurdish population into historic full Syrian citizenship."

News Source: 12punto