Damascus delegation arrives at Qamishli airport to implement SDF deal

A delegation from the Syrian government arrived at Qamishli airport in northeastern Syria on Sunday to initiate the transfer of the facility's control under a recent agreement with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The move represents a concrete step in implementing a ceasefire and phased integration deal aimed at ending the administrative division in Syria's north.

Delegation and Preparatory Steps

The delegation, led by Hasakah province's internal security chief Brigadier General Marwan al-Ali, is undertaking preparatory work for the airport's handover, according to reports from Alikhbariah TV. This follows a "comprehensive agreement" reached in late January, which saw Syrian security forces enter the city of Qamishli last Tuesday, signaling the start of the deal's implementation on the ground.

Terms of the Broader Agreement

The agreement between Damascus and the SDF grants the Syrian government control over strategic assets, including the Rmeilan and al-Suwaydiyah oilfields in addition to Qamishli airport. This political and security arrangement is part of President Ahmad al-Sharaa's post-Assad administration's push for national reunification. In mid-January, al-Sharaa also issued a decree recognizing Syrian Kurds as an integral part of the nation's identity.

Military Context and Regional Implications

The deal comes after a Syrian Army operation launched on January 16 against SDF-held areas west of the Euphrates River, later expanding east with tribal support. These actions reclaimed most territories previously controlled by the group. The integration agreement, while reducing immediate conflict, underscores the complex dynamics in northern Syria, a region where Türkiye maintains significant security concerns regarding the YPG, the SDF's primary component.