Two months have passed since the implementation of the “ceasefire and integration” agreement signed on 29 January between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Damascus Interim Government. Covering military, administrative, political, educational and health sectors, the agreement is being implemented slowly in practice, while disputes continue over key issues such as the status of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), education in Kurdish, women’s representation in political and public life, and the lifting of the blockade on Kobanê.
The framework of the agreement, which was planned to be implemented in four phases, was defined as follows:
First phase: Security and military arrangements
a) Declaring a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire on all fronts in response to recent developments, halting all arrests and raids, maintaining the protection of ISIS prisons by the SDF, and providing full logistical support to the ongoing evacuation process.
b) Withdrawal of SDF forces from the cities of Hasakah (Hesekê) and Qamishlo to agreed military barracks; in return, the Syrian army is to immediately withdraw to the town of Shaddadi, south of Hasakah.
c) Establishment of a military division for Hasakah province by the Syrian Ministry of Defense, with SDF forces to be integrated into this structure in the form of three brigades.
d) Integration of the military force in Kobanê as a brigade affiliated with the military division in Aleppo province.
Second phase: Security and administrative arrangements
a) In order to strengthen security and stability, allowing symbolic entry of security vehicles into the cities of Hasakah and Qamishlo, and initiating the integration of SDF-affiliated security forces under the Ministry of Interior.
b) Appointment of local administrators:
*The Governor of Hasakah to be appointed upon the recommendation of the SDF.
*The Provincial Security Director to be appointed upon the recommendation of the Syrian government.
The Deputy Minister of Defense to be appointed upon the recommendation of the SDF.
Third phase: Transfer of vital facilities and logistical procedures
Transfer of vital facilities:
*The Rimêlan and Sweida (Siweyda) oil fields to be taken over by the Ministry of Energy, with the integration of civilian workers.
*Qamishlo Airport to be taken over by the Civil Aviation Authority.
Fourth phase: Transfer of civilian institutions
a) A delegation from the General Directorate of Land Border Gates to be sent to the Sêmalka and Nusaybin (Nisêbin) border crossings; the official appointment of civilian personnel, prevention of the use of border crossings for the entry of weapons and foreign individuals, and the immediate activation of the crossings.
b) The Syrian government to take over all civilian institutions in Hasakah province; the integration of Autonomous Administration institutions into state institutions, and the formal employment of civilian staff working in these institutions, ensuring the security of their positions.
Binding provisions for all parties
a) A ban on the entry of military forces into cities and towns by all parties, particularly in Kurdish regions.
b) Ensuring equivalence and official recognition of all primary, secondary, high school and university diplomas, as well as vocational school certificates issued by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria.
c) Licensing of all local, cultural and civil society organizations, as well as media institutions, in accordance with the regulations of the relevant ministries.
d) Addressing the educational process of the Kurdish community in coordination with the Ministry of Education, with due consideration for educational particularities.
e) Ensuring the return of all displaced persons to their cities and villages in Afrin (Efrîn), Sheikh Maqsoud (Şêxmeqsûd) and Serêkaniyê, along with the appointment of local administrators for civilian governance in these areas.
Although the agreement was expected to be fully implemented within a maximum of one month, it continues to advance slowly and in a limited manner despite two months having passed.
Military and administrative steps
On 2 February, convoys of General Security Forces affiliated with the Dera Governorate, under the command of Mervan El Eli, arrived in Hasakah and Qamishlo and were deployed at security points in coordination with the Internal Security Forces (Asayish). A total of 214 personnel were dispatched, 10 of whom began working jointly with the Internal Security Forces.
On 4 February, Nureddin Isa Ahmed, known as “Abu Omar Khanika,” was appointed as the first Kurdish governor of Hasakah. Siyabend Efrîn (Mehmud Xelil Eli) was appointed Deputy Director of General Security for Hasakah province. The implementation of the agreement on the ground, along with military and administrative oversight, is currently being largely carried out by Siyabend Efrîn.
On 11 February, SDF, People’s Protection Units (YPG) and YPJ withdrew from certain contact points along the Hasakah–Dêrik line, with those areas handed over to the Internal Security Forces. Groups affiliated with Damascus also withdrew from some villages in the rural areas of Kobanê.
During February, joint checkpoints were established on roads leading to Hasakah province. Roads connecting Hasakah with Raqqa (Reqa), Deir ez-Zor (Dêrazor) and Til Birak were opened, and joint checkpoints were set up. In the Şêxler subdistrict of Kobanê, eight checkpoints and a security center were established, while in the Çelebiye subdistrict (Xirûz, Nur Eli and Xirab İşkê), six joint checkpoints were created.
The withdrawal was not fully implemented in Til Koçer, Til Hemis, Til Barak and Mount Kizwan. While SDF forces withdrew from the city centers of Hasakah and Qamishlo to military barracks, Damascus forces pulled back to Shaddadi.
In March, two major developments in the military sphere drew public attention. Sîpan Hemo, a member of the SDF General Command, was appointed as Deputy Minister of Defense of Syria, responsible for the Eastern Region. This appointment was recorded as a high-level development within the framework of the agreement’s military integration provisions, and Sîpan Hemo became the first Kurdish commander to assume this role. At the same time, Çiya Kobanê, also a member of the SDF General Command, took office as Deputy Commander of the 60th Division, which operates in northern and eastern Aleppo.
Additionally, with the establishment of security points in the village of Tewîla, west of Til Temir, the strategic M4 highway between Cizîr (Cizre) and Aleppo was reopened to traffic. The M4 highway, one of the most strategic routes in northern Syria, connects major cities such as Hasakah, Raqqa, Kobanê, Manbij (Minbic) and Aleppo, ensuring the safe passage of civilians and vehicles.
601 people remain captive
The release of fighters and civilians taken captive during the war has been one of the priority issues. SDF General Commander Mazloum Abdi had previously stated that Damascus had taken 1,070 people captive. In the first week of March, the Damascus administration released 59 people, including 33 civilians. On 10 March, 100 people from each side were exchanged, while 300 people were released on 19 March and 10 fighters captured in Deir Hafir were released on 26 March. In total, Damascus released 469 people in March, while 601 people remain in captivity.
Status of YPJ
The Damascus Interim Government has not recognized the status of the YPJ since taking control in Syria. The SDF and the Autonomous Administration have declared that YPJ is a red line, that it will never be dissolved and will continue its current role. Although women fighters are not present at joint checkpoints established by the Internal Security Forces and Damascus, they continue to carry out their duties both within cities and in designated areas.
According to Articles 3 and 4 of the agreement, three brigades in the Cizîr Region will operate under the 60th Division affiliated with Hasakah, while Kobanê will be structured as a military brigade under Aleppo. Although the agreement does not include a specific provision regarding YPJ, it is stated that women fighters will continue their duties within these brigades.
Blockade continues in Kobanê
The agreement granted a special status to Kobanê. Internal security was to be ensured by the Internal Security Forces, and the blockade was to be lifted. However, in the city, which was placed under heavy siege on 16 January, electricity and internet were cut, and the passage of water, medicine, fuel and food was blocked. Although internet and electricity issues have been resolved following the agreement, roads have not been fully reopened and the passage of humanitarian aid remains restricted. Fuel is still not allowed to enter.
Pressure is being exerted on villagers, and at least 80 villages have been looted so far. According to the agreement, Damascus is required to withdraw 10 kilometers from Kurdish villages, but this provision has not been implemented in some areas. Meanwhile, Damascus is attempting to appoint a figure to administer Kobanê, but residents insist on being governed by someone they have chosen themselves and reject any external appointment.
Airport, oil fields and border crossings
In February, a delegation from Damascus visited the Rimêlan Oil Fields Administration. The delegation, which included representatives from the Syrian Petroleum Company and Civil Aviation, held meetings with the Autonomous Administration. A technical delegation also conducted inspections at Qamishlo International Airport on 21 February and carried out test flights. Although the airport is partially open for domestic flights, international flights have not yet resumed.
The Sêmalka Border Crossing in Dêrik is currently the only crossing open for movement into Rojava. Delegations from Damascus and the SDF discussed procedures for formally activating the crossing, as well as administrative and logistical mechanisms. However, no official announcement has been made regarding its opening or operational system. Meanwhile, crossings such as Til Koçer, Nusaybin and Miştenur, which are also expected to become operational, remain closed.
Kurdish-language education
Articles 11 and 13 of the agreement make the recognition of diplomas and the protection of Kurdish-language education binding. A consensus was reached on the “official recognition of mother-tongue education”; however, concrete curriculum revisions and school integration have remained limited, with the process focusing largely on administrative aspects.
During a meeting held in Hasakah in February with a delegation from Damascus, key issues were discussed, including the education process, the examination system, the official recognition of Kurdish not as an “elective language” but as a “mother tongue,” and the recognition of diplomas issued by the Autonomous Administration within Syria’s general education system.
Health committee established
Negotiations on the integration of health institutions continued for two months. In this context, Hasakah Governor Nureddin Ahmed established a committee composed of representatives from the Syrian Ministry of Health and the Autonomous Administration. The committee began its work on 16 February, reorganizing the administrative and personnel structure at a hospital in the Cizîr Region and initiating the process of incorporating healthcare workers into the state system.
Subsequently, the Ministry of Health officially transferred some employees of the Autonomous Administration’s Health Authority in the region under its structure through a formal decree. However, concrete steps regarding salary payments, medical shortages, and the treatment of patients in hospitals affiliated with Damascus remain under discussion.
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