ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Syrian internal security forces entered the Kurdish city of Qamishli in northeast Syria (Rojava) on Tuesday, marking the latest step in implementing a ceasefire agreement between Damascus and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
The deployment follows a similar move a day earlier in the nearby city of Hasaka and represents the first operational phase of the agreement, which was reached after a large-scale offensive by Syrian government forces and affiliated armed groups against the Kurdish forces in north and northeastern Syria.
Speaking from the outskirts of Qamishli, Syrian interior ministry Spokesperson Nour al-Din al-Baba said the deployment was carried out in coordination with local authorities.
“The Syrian internal security forces are preparing to implement the terms of the agreement between the Syrian government and the SDF,” Baba said, elaborating that “one key point of the agreement involves the interior ministry forces entering the cities of Hasaka province to assume responsibility for internal security.”
The interior ministry spokesperson further noted that “coordination is ongoing with the [SDF] inside Qamishli to deploy our units within the city, following the deployment of our forces in Hasaka city yesterday.”
Damascus-affiliated personnel entered Qamishli accompanied by members of the Kurdish Internal Security Forces (Asayish), aligned with the SDF. As the forces moved into the city, some Asayish members delivered strong messages highlighting Kurdish presence and identity in the area.
“This is the [Qamishli] square of heroes and the [Kurdish] resistance,” one Asayish member told Rudaw, while another added, “This is Western [Rojava] Kurdistan. This is the stronghold of the Kurdish lions and their leaders. It is the place of Kurds.”
Residents also gathered at al-Hilaliyah Square on the western edge of Qamishli, where Kurdish flags were raised and reactions to the deployment were mixed. One resident told Rudaw, “We are here to protect and defend our regions. We do not seek war; we seek unity.”
Another resident expressed frustration while urging restraint. “This deployment was not what we had hoped for, but what we could have done, we had no choice. We came out to this square to express our anger,” the resident said. “We hope that no [violations] occur, and that all sides adhere to the agreement and we all remain united.”
The Kurdish resident also praised Kurdistan Region leaders for their role in brokering the ceasefire. “Long live the Barzani family and their leader, Masoud Barzani. We love the Barzanis, and may God protect them for us, especially Masoud Barzani. They achieved this [ceasefire] for us, and because of them, we hold our heads high.”
Kurdistan Region leaders have played a key mediating role between Damascus and the SDF, working to support dialogue, secure the ceasefire, and prevent further escalation in northeastern Syria.
While Damascus has not provided an official figure for the personnel deployed to Qamishli, a Syrian official reported a day earlier that a number similar to that sent to Hasaka would be deployed.
A Rudaw reporter on the ground in Hasaka said on Monday that 15 convoys, comprising around 100 Damascus-affiliated security forces, had entered the Kurdish city.