Syrian state officials arrive to take control of key northeastern oil fields

A Syrian state delegation arrived in the northeastern province of Hasakah on Monday to formally take control of key oil fields, implementing a recent agreement with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The technical team from the Syrian Petroleum Company, accompanied by security officials, is overseeing the handover of the strategic Rumeilan and Al-Suwaydiyah fields, which are central to the nation's energy reserves.

Implementation of a Phased Integration Deal

This action follows a "comprehensive agreement" announced last month between the government in Damascus and the SDF, involving a ceasefire and a phased integration plan. The deal grants the Syrian government authority over these oil fields as well as Qamishli airport, aiming to end the administrative division that has persisted in northeastern Syria for years. It comes after Syrian military operations, supported by tribal forces, regained most territories previously held by the SDF.

Economic Significance and Challenges Ahead

Hasakah hosts Syria's largest oil and gas fields, making their return to state control a potential economic turning point. However, Damascus faces substantial hurdles, including rehabilitating war-damaged infrastructure, securing technical expertise, and attracting investment to boost production capacity. While improved stability in the east offers promise, reviving the energy sector to pre-conflict levels remains a long-term challenge.

Political Context and National Unity Narrative

The move is part of President Ahmad al-Sharaa's post-Assad administration's push for national reunification. In January, al-Sharaa issued a decree affirming Syrian Kurds as an integral part of the national fabric, a gesture aligning with the integration agreement. The reclamation of energy assets strengthens the central government's economic leverage and is portrayed as a step toward restoring sovereignty, though regional dynamics involving Türkiye's security concerns regarding the YPG, the SDF's core component, remain complex.