ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A senior Kurdish official in northeast Syria (Rojava) said on Friday the enclave will retain its local security forces (Asayish) and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) will serve in four brigades in Kurdish strongholds under the Syrian army in the framework of a new deal.
Elham Ahmed, foreign relations co-chair for the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES) in northeastern Syria (Rojava), said at a press conference that the agreement struck between Damascus and Kurdish leaders on Friday aims to halt fighting and establish a permanent ceasefire. She said one of its main objectives is “stopping the bloodshed.”
Ahmed said the deal, which will be gradually implemented, includes four new Syrian army brigades from within the SDF. Three will be stationed in Hasaka and one in Kobane, both Kurdish strongholds, and will include Kurdish female fighters known as the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ).
Kurdish security forces (Asayish) will fall under the Ministry of Interior but will be run locally, she said.
“Our security forces are staying put; no force will replace our local forces,” Ahmed added.
She confirmed that Syrian government security forces will enter the Kurdish-held cities of Qamishli on the Turkish border and Hasaka with light weapons during the transition but will withdraw. She emphasized that security officials will be local.
The agreement marks a shift in governance in northeastern Syria, which local governments and the SDF have run autonomously for over a decade. Damascus has pressed for a centralized government model.
Ahmed added that the region’s government would remain in local hands.
“The governor of Hasaka will be determined by us,” she said, adding that responsibility for border protection will rest with people from the region.
Ahmed also highlighted that certificates issued in the Kurdish educational institutions will be recognized by the Syrian government.