US envoy hails Syria-YPG deal as a 'historic milestone'

The United States' top diplomat for Syria has publicly endorsed a new ceasefire and integration pact between the Syrian government and the YPG, a group operating under the banner of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). In a statement on Friday, US Special Envoy Tom Barrack lauded the agreement as a "historic milestone" toward achieving national reconciliation and lasting stability in Syria. Barrack, who also serves as the US Ambassador to Türkiye, framed the development as a critical move toward unifying the fractured nation.

Framework for integration and de-escalation

The envoy detailed that the deal represents a "significant step toward unity, inclusion and de-escalation," building upon prior frameworks. Its core provision is the phased integration of the YPG's military, security, and administrative apparatus into the Syrian state's formal institutions. Barrack argued that this reflects a shared commitment to preserving Syria's territorial integrity and advancing more inclusive governance, which could open doors to broader political participation for various communities within the country.

Linking the deal to Kurdish community measures

Barrack's statement connected the broader integration agreement to recent specific measures taken by Damascus concerning the Kurdish community in Syria. He highlighted steps related to citizenship restoration, official language recognition, and enhanced legal protections, describing them as efforts to address long-standing grievances. According to the US envoy, these combined political and administrative developments are essential to restoring trust between the state and its citizens, which is a foundational requirement for strengthening institutions and enabling future reconstruction.

Regional implications and the path ahead

The US endorsement of this Damascus-led process marks a notable shift in the complex Syrian geopolitical landscape. For neighboring Türkiye, which views the YPG as an offshoot of the outlawed PKK and a direct national security threat, the full and verifiable integration of the group into the Syrian state—and its subsequent disarming—would be a welcomed outcome aligned with its longstanding demands. Barrack expressed optimism that these developments could "create conditions conducive to reconstruction and long-term stability," though the practical implementation of the agreement on the ground remains the critical next test.