Syria appoints new governor for Raqqa following landmark SDF integration deal

The Syrian government has appointed Abdulrahman Salameh, the former deputy governor of Aleppo, as the new governor of Raqqa province. This administrative move directly follows a major ceasefire and political integration agreement with the SDF, aimed at reestablishing state control.

The Syrian government has named Abdulrahman Salameh, previously the deputy governor of Aleppo, as the new governor of the strategic northern province of Raqqa. This high-level administrative appointment, announced on Monday, is a direct and immediate consequence of the sweeping ceasefire and political integration pact between Damascus and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

Restoring civil administration in a contested region

The appointment of a centrally appointed governor represents a critical step in reasserting the Syrian state's civil and administrative authority over Raqqa. The province and its namesake city were once the self-declared capital of the Islamic State (ISIS) and, following the terror group's defeat, came under the control of the U.S.-backed SDF. Aleppo Governor Azzam al-Gharib publicly congratulated Salameh on social media, expressing hope that his leadership would "bring greater stability and progress to Raqqa and its residents."

Part of a broader political and military realignment

Salameh's assignment is not an isolated event but a key component of a larger strategic shift. It follows Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa's Sunday announcement of a comprehensive agreement to fully integrate the SDF's civilian and military structures into state institutions. This deal, which also involves a nationwide ceasefire, was reached after the Syrian Arab Army conducted military operations to retake areas in eastern and northeastern Syria, responding to what Damascus called repeated violations of earlier, unimplemented agreements by the SDF.

Implications for regional stability and reconstruction

The successful installation of a Damascus-loyal governor in Raqqa signifies the potential end of autonomous governance in northeastern Syria. For the international community and regional actors, including Türkiye, this move is a tangible indicator of the integration deal's seriousness. It suggests a pathway toward reunifying Syrian territory under central rule, which could facilitate large-scale reconstruction and the return of displaced populations. For Türkiye, a nation that has consistently advocated for Syria's territorial integrity and the removal of terrorist threats, the re-establishment of formal state control in Raqqa is a positive development, provided it leads to the permanent dissolution of the SDF's separate military capacity and addresses long-standing security concerns along the shared border.