Syrian government forces began entering the Kurdish-majority city of Qamishli on Tuesday as part of a comprehensive integration agreement reached with Kurdish authorities last week. The deployment occurred hours after Kurdish forces imposed a city-wide curfew in anticipation of the convoy’s arrival.
Syria’s official SANA news agency reported that “a convoy of internal security forces began entering the city of Qamishli.” An AFP correspondent confirmed seeing a convoy of armored vehicles and personnel moving towards the outskirts of the city, which serves as the main center for the Kurdish autonomous administration.
Earlier on Tuesday, Kurdish security forces implemented a curfew, clearing civilians from the streets and closing shops. The measure was set to remain in effect until Wednesday morning to secure the area for the government deployment.
The entry of government troops is a key step in an agreement signed last week that aims to “unify Syrian territory” by gradually integrating the Kurds’ military and civilian institutions into the state. The deal follows the recent ceding of territory by Kurdish forces to advancing government troops.
This agreement marks a significant development for the Kurds, who had established de facto autonomy over large areas of northern and northeastern Syria after fighting against the Islamic State group. Mazloum Abdi, head of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), had previously stated that the deal would involve the entry of a “limited internal security force” into cities like Qamishli and Hasakeh, but specified that “no military forces will enter any Kurdish city or town.”
The entry of Syrian forces into Qamishli marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing efforts to reintegrate Kurdish-held territories into the Syrian state. This deployment is the first major on-the-ground implementation of an agreement designed to unify the country by absorbing Kurdish administrative and security bodies. The situation in the region remains fluid as both sides navigate the terms of this new arrangement.
For observers, the key focus will be on how the integration of Syrian forces in Qamishli and other Kurdish areas proceeds. The agreement represents a significant shift from the years of autonomy the Kurds maintained, and its successful implementation is critical for the long-term stability of northeastern Syria. The gradual nature of the deal suggests a cautious approach to avoid escalating tensions.
