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Merging Kurdish Institutions: Erdogan Welcomes the Agreement Between "SDF" and the Interim Damascus Government
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The agreement between the Self-Administration and the Syrian Interim Government represents an important step towards the reunification of state institutions and the consolidation of the legitimacy of
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his welcome today, Tuesday, for the agreement between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian Interim Government, stating that "all Syrians" will benefit from this agreement.
The Syrian Democratic Forces is a Kurdish-led military formation supported by the United States, and it has controlled vast areas in northern and eastern Syria.
Erdogan stated, "The full implementation of the agreement reached yesterday in Syria will contribute to the security and stability of the country. All our Syrian brothers and sisters will be the beneficiaries of this," expressing interest in the territorial unity of Syria.
He added, "We place great importance on the territorial integrity of our neighbor Syria, maintaining its unified structure, and enhancing its unity and stability."
Earlier today, Tuesday, Reuters quoted a Turkish source stating that Ankara feels "cautious optimism" regarding the agreement between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the temporary transitional Syrian president. The source added that Turkey is eager to see how the agreement is implemented on the ground.
The official explained to Reuters that the agreement has not altered Turkey's determination "to combat terrorism," and that Ankara "remains committed to its demand, which is the dismantling and disarmament of the Syrian Kurdish People's Defense Units" that lead the Syrian Democratic Forces.
The official stated, "We feel cautious optimism about the agreement, and we look forward to seeing how it will be implemented at this stage... The terrorist organization has made promises in the past as well, so we are looking forward to implementation, not just statements of intent."
The Turkish official, who requested to remain anonymous, emphasized that the agreement does not change Turkey's insistence on fighting terrorism, adding: "It is unacceptable for these people (the Syrian Kurdish People's Defense Units) to enter Syrian institutions without dismantling their command chain. There is also a command chain within the command chain. It is important to integrate them, not just have them enter while continuing to be the People's Defense Units."
This development follows the signing of an agreement on Monday by Syrian Interim President Ahmed al-Shara and Syrian Democratic Forces Commander Mazloum Abdi, which stipulates the "merging" of all civil and military institutions affiliated with the Kurdish Self-Administration into the Syrian state. This is part of efforts by the new authority to assert its legitimacy in the country.
The agreement consists of eight points, and joint committees are set to work on its implementation before the end of this year. It includes provisions for "merging all civil and military institutions in northeastern Syria into the Syrian state's administration, including border crossings, airports, and oil and gas fields."
The agreement also includes a clause about "supporting the Syrian state in its fight against the remnants of Assad and all threats to its security and unity," while affirming that "the Kurdish community is an indigenous community in the Syrian state" and that "it guarantees its right to citizenship and all its constitutional rights."
