Syrian forces enter Raqqa city after landmark deal with SDF

Syrian forces enter Raqqa city after landmark deal with SDF

Syrian government security forces have started deploying into the northeastern city of Raqqa, marking the first tangible step in implementing a major political and military agreement with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The move signifies the return of state authority to a city that was once the de facto capital of the ISIS terrorist group.

A planned deployment to restore order

In a statement on Sunday evening, the Interior Ministry said its forces were entering Raqqa as part of a "comprehensive plan to impose security and stability and safeguard citizens and public and private property." The deployment is framed as an effort to stabilize conditions and ensure a safe environment for residents across Syrian regions, following weeks of heightened military tensions in the northeast.

Context of the comprehensive agreement

The security movement follows the ceasefire and full integration deal announced by President Ahmad al-Sharaa. The agreement mandates the SDF's withdrawal of military formations east of the Euphrates River and the handover of administrative and security control of Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor provinces to Damascus. It also includes provisions for integrating SDF personnel into state ministries and transferring control of border crossings and oil fields to the government.

Strategic implications and regional observations

The deal was reached after a Syrian military operation recaptured areas from the SDF, which Damascus accused of violating previous agreements. For Türkiye, a key stakeholder that designates the SDF's dominant YPG faction as a terrorist wing of the PKK, the entry of Syrian forces into Raqqa and the commitment to remove foreign PKK elements are critical developments. If fully implemented, the agreement could significantly alter the security landscape in northern Syria, potentially addressing longstanding Turkish security concerns along its border.