The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have reached a comprehensive agreement with the government in Damascus to integrate into the Syrian army, following weeks of clashes and a recently declared ceasefire.
The agreement comes as Syria's interim authorities seek to consolidate control over the whole country after the overthrow of longtime leader Bashar al-Assad, and after the military launched an offensive in the north against the SDF earlier this month.
In a statement issued on Friday, the SDF said the deal provides a phased integration of its forces into state military structures.
Under the agreement, SDF units will withdraw from front lines, while government forces will deploy to the centres of the northeastern cities of Hassaka and Qamishli, areas they had previously been barred from entering, while local security forces are also set to be merged.
The agreement includes the formation of new military units incorporating SDF fighters, including a brigade comprising three SDF brigades, as well as the integration of SDF fighters into an existing government brigade in Aleppo province.
Civil institutions run by the Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria, which has functioned as a de facto autonomous region for years, will also be integrated into state institutions. The SDF said the deal guarantees civil and educational rights for Kurds and provides for the return of displaced residents to their homes.
"The agreement aims to unify Syrian territory and achieve full integration by enhancing cooperation and unifying efforts to rebuild the country," the statement said.
There was no immediate official statement from Damascus, though Syrian state media cited an unnamed government official as confirming the agreement.
The deal follows weeks of fighting that erupted in early January, particularly in and around Aleppo, after negotiations over integration stalled.
Although a previous agreement reached in March failed to gain traction, a ceasefire reached last week has largely held, paving the way for renewed talks.
The United States, which has long backed the SDF in its fight against the Islamic State group, did not intervene militarily in the recent clashes but pushed both sides to reach an agreement.
Washington has moved closer to Damascus under interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, as Syria's new leadership seeks to reassert authority after nearly 14 years of civil war.