Despite the negotiations taking place in Syria, there has been no concrete progress regarding a prisoner exchange. SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces) sources state that one of the most critical clauses of the 29 January agreement, the mutual release of civilians and fighters held by Damascus and the SDF, has not been implemented.
Since the Aleppo attacks, the clause concerning the release of detainees has reportedly not been put into practice, similar to previous periods of conflict. It is also noted that the 59 individuals whom the Syrian Interim Government announced two days ago it had released were not SDF fighters. Instead, they were civilians detained in different Syrian cities and individuals who had previously left the SDF.
Fate of Aleppo detainees unknown
There is still no clear information about the situation of the hundreds of civilians captured during the 6 January attacks in Aleppo. The SDF considers the failure to take official steps regarding their fate to be a clear violation of the agreement.
The situation on the ground tells a different story
Although statements claim that the Damascus–Rojava integration process has “moved to the second phase,” developments on the ground do not support this narrative. Over the past month, discussions have largely been limited to security issues, making it difficult to see the broader framework of integration.
Key issues on the ground include:
– Deployment of security units in cities
– Reopening of the Hesekê–Raqqa road
– The continuing siege around Kobanê
The lack of progress on these issues reinforces assessments that the implementation of the agreement is being delayed and that both sides may be employing delaying tactics.
Siege of Kobanê and humanitarian crisis
It is reported that some areas in the Kobanê countryside and several villages remain under occupation, with armed groups linked to the Turkish state not having fully withdrawn. The failure to reopen the M5 road and the siege that has lasted for approximately 45 days have caused a serious humanitarian crisis in the region. Local sources report that access to food and healthcare has been restricted and that conditions are worsening.
Influence of external actors
The integration talks between Rojava and Damascus are not progressing independently of Syria’s broader political structure and the influence of external powers. Due to the position of the Syrian Interim Government and interventions by regional actors, experts believe that establishing an inclusive Syrian government and building a pluralistic parliamentary system will be a long and difficult process.
Syria’s multi-ethnic and multicultural structure also creates additional challenges for forming a new government and shaping a parliamentary system. For this reason, analysts say the integration process will not be determined solely by negotiations between Rojava and Damascus, but also by the broader political and social dynamics across the country.
Two possible options facing Damascus
According to developments on the ground, the Damascus leadership appears to face two main options:
– Implement the provisions of the 29 January agreement and advance the process with the SDF in concrete terms,
– Or move toward a more fragmented and multi-actor political scenario independent of the Syrian Interim Government that Ahmed al-Sharaa seeks to control.
Experts say that under current conditions, where external actors continue to play a strong role, the path chosen by Damascus will directly shape the future political architecture of Syria.
Leave a Reply