{"id":40879,"date":"2026-01-02T10:50:13","date_gmt":"2026-01-02T10:50:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/?p=40879"},"modified":"2026-01-02T10:50:13","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T10:50:13","slug":"yasser-al-suleiman-decentralisation-the-sdf-damascus-deal-and-what-comes-next","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/02\/01\/2026\/yasser-al-suleiman-decentralisation-the-sdf-damascus-deal-and-what-comes-next\/","title":{"rendered":"Yasser Al-Suleiman: Decentralisation, the SDF\u2013Damascus Deal and What Comes Next"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The 10 March agreement between Syria\u2019s interim government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) marked a clear political shift away from military solutions and towards dialogue. At the time of its signing, the deal signalled an intent to address long-standing structural issues and opened the door to confidence-building between the two sides. It was therefore met with cautious public optimism, with many viewing it as a rare and potentially historic opportunity.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Yet the March agreement did not exist in a vacuum. As implementation began, gaps emerged between the text itself, and the mechanisms required to enforce it. Disagreements deepened over interpretation, sequencing and levels of commitment, while shifting domestic and regional dynamics further complicated matters. Gradually, early hopes gave way to pressing questions about whether the agreement could realistically be carried through.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In this interview, +963 revisits the 10 March accord as a pivotal moment in Syria\u2019s national settlement narrative \u2013 one that promised to close a long chapter of tension and open a new phase based on mutual recognition and political partnership. The agreement was reached against a complex regional and domestic backdrop, with Syria still bearing the weight of accumulated conflicts and competing visions for stability, rights and governance.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Yasser Al-Suleiman, spokesperson for the Autonomous Administration of North-East Syria\u2019s negotiating delegation with Damascus, speaks to +963 about the obstacles to integration, foreign interference, the limits of local decision-making, current relations with the government, and the most viable governance model at this stage.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Where is the 10 March agreement between the government and the SDF heading? <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The agreement is moving towards activation in the coming days. Both sides \u2013 the government and the SDF \u2013 are expected to begin implementing its provisions, particularly on the military front. This includes the principle of a single national army with diverse formations, a matter to be finalised by joint military committees, as it falls within their remit.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">We also anticipate representation from North-East Syria within the Ministry of Defence, with the same applying to the Ministry of Interior and the broader security sector.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Military and security integration is often discussed. What is hindering progress, and how far have talks advanced? <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The delays in implementing the 10 March agreement stem from differing perspectives and from regional pressure on the Syrian government \u2013 particularly from Turkey \u2013 alongside SDF conditions regarding integration as a single bloc, in order to preserve the specific character of North-East Syria.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">This approach has, in fact, been accepted by the Syrian government. We have made meaningful progress in overcoming these obstacles through verbal understandings between the SDF\u2019s General Commander and President Ahmed Al-Sharaa. We hope these will soon be translated into concrete steps on the ground.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">A unified army must be built on a shared military doctrine and a coherent internal system capable of accommodating all components of Syrian society.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>How will the Autonomous Administration\u2019s civilian institutions be integrated into state structures? <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">During a recent event in Tabqa for supporters of the negotiating committee, General Mazloum Abdi stated that the form of the Autonomous Administration\u2019s institutions may change to facilitate integration and alignment with Syrian state institutions.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">This means adjustments to administrative structures, which will require time, coordination and sustained effort. Progress is already being made in integrating civilian institutions into government frameworks.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>What is the nature of relations with Damascus on shared sovereign and service-related files \u2013 such as education, border crossings and oil? <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">We agree on reactivating sovereign state institutions in North and East Syria \u2013 including civil registries, population records, land registries and universities. There has been tangible progress on this front in recent months.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Regarding border crossings, understandings have been reached on reopening crossings with Iraq and Turkey. Local communities in North-East Syria must be involved in managing these crossings, while preserving Syria\u2019s sovereign administrative framework and expertise.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">There should also be a fair share of revenues allocated to regional development. We see positive indicators in the education sector as well. Our position is clear \u2013 sovereign institutions must be effective, and the relationship between the centre and the regions must be robust and functional.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>How do you assess external interference in the agreement? Where does local decision-making stand? <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite profound disagreements, communication channels with Turkey remain open, which is a positive sign. Regional actors \u2013 including the Kurdistan Region of Iraq \u2013 have also played a role in supporting the success of the 10 March agreement.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Several Arab states have entered the process, notably Saudi Arabia, which is pushing towards a comprehensive national settlement. Nevertheless, our primary reliance is on Syrians themselves. Local ownership of the decision-making process is the foundation of any sustainable agreement.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Which governance model is most appropriate at this stage \u2013 administrative decentralisation, expanded decentralisation, or political decentralisation? <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Syria\u2019s current populist climate, the term \u2018decentralisation\u2019 still provokes sensitivities, despite the fact that many Syrians live in federal or decentralised states abroad. Strengthening local governance is essential. We believe that people should manage their own governorates.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">We are moving towards decentralisation in practice \u2013 meaning that governors should come from their own provinces, as is already the case in Deir Ezzor, Damascus, Homs and Aleppo. This is a positive step.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Our disagreement with the government lies in whether governors should be appointed centrally or locally. The same applies to municipalities and police forces. We also call for a share of oil revenues and natural resources to be allocated to the regions where they are produced, contributing directly to development and social stability. Agricultural output should follow the same principle \u2013 all of this ultimately belongs to all Syrians.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">We have discussed Law No. 107, issued under the former regime, with several governors \u2013 including those of Damascus, Homs and Aleppo \u2013 as well as legal administrators. The law contains elements that can be built upon, despite its centralised nature. It grants certain local powers, but legislative paralysis remains an issue, as parliament has not convened to enact reforms. Expanded decentralisation remains a viable option.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>What do you expect the new year to bring, particularly for unresolved files in North-East Syria? <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Escalatory rhetoric is inherently destructive, regardless of who uses it. After the fall of the former regime, we were hopeful of a swift transition towards rebuilding the country and reaching agreements worthy of the sacrifices Syrians have made over the past 14 years.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">We regret the confrontational language adopted by some actors. We do not see it as a national approach that safeguards Syria\u2019s unity and stability.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The March agreement was signed with President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, who is the guarantor of its implementation. At the same time, there are internal and external forces seeking to undermine the deal by obstructing its execution. This serves no public interest.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">We place our trust in the patriotism of Syrians, and in President Al-Sharaa, to build understandings that unify the Syrian ranks and lay the groundwork for prosperity and development.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Decisive meetings with the government are expected within the first ten days of this month. These discussions are intended to advance concrete projects that will translate the agreement into practical realities on the ground.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 10 March agreement between Syria\u2019s interim government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) marked a clear political shift away from military solutions and towards dialogue. At the time of its signing, the deal signalled an intent to address long-standing structural issues and opened the door to confidence-building between the two sides. It was therefore [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":114,"featured_media":40880,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":{"format":"standard","override":[{"template":"1","single_blog_custom":"0","parallax":"1","fullscreen":"1","layout":"left-sidebar","sidebar":"default-sidebar","second_sidebar":"default-sidebar","sticky_sidebar":"1","share_position":"float","share_float_style":"share-normal","show_share_counter":"1","show_view_counter":"1","show_featured":"1","show_post_meta":"1","show_post_author":"1","show_post_author_image":"1","show_post_date":"1","post_date_format":"default","post_date_format_custom":"g:i a d\/m\/Y","post_reading_time_wpm":"300","post_calculate_word_method":"str_word_count","show_zoom_button":"1","zoom_button_out_step":"5","zoom_button_in_step":"4","show_post_tag":"1","number_popup_post":"1","show_post_related":"1"}],"image_override":[{"single_post_thumbnail_size":"crop-500","single_post_gallery_size":"crop-500"}],"trending_post_position":"meta","trending_post_label":"Trending","sponsored_post_label":"Sponsored by","disable_ad":"0","subtitle":"As talks between Damascus and the SDF move from paper to practice, the spokesperson for North-East Syria\u2019s Autonomous Administration outlines the obstacles, the compromises \u2013 and the stakes."},"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_override_counter":{"view_counter_number":"0","share_counter_number":"0","like_counter_number":"0","dislike_counter_number":"0"},"jnews_post_split":{"post_split":[{"template":"1","tag":"h2","numbering":"asc","mode":"normal","first":"0","enable_toc":"0","toc_type":"normal"}]},"footnotes":""},"categories":[383,19],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[403,166],"class_list":["post-40879","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-interview","category-slider"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.2 (Yoast SEO v28.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Yasser Al-Suleiman: Decentralisation, the SDF\u2013Damascus Deal and What Comes Next - 963+<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Yasser Al-Suleiman on the 10 March deal, military integration, decentralisation sensitivities and why the coming days could determine 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