Syrian Democratic Forces, Damascus agree on security and integration steps in Hasakah

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian government have reached an agreement on security arrangements and the integration process in the northeastern province of Hasakah, SDF Commander-in-Chief Mazloum Abdi said. Abdi met in Hasakah with the Syrian presidency's special envoy, Ziad al-Ayyash, and the commander of the Syrian army's Second Corps, Awad al-Qasim. According to Abdi's social media post, the talks addressed security in the province, attacks on state institutions, the situation of displaced civilians, and the acceleration of integration, with the sides taking "serious steps" in a "constructive atmosphere." The meeting was described as a follow-up to an agreement signed between the Syrian government and the SDF on January 29, 2026. Syrian People's Council member Mustafa Abdi, who sits on a committee monitoring implementation of the deal, said most of its articles had taken effect within five months. Under the agreement, the SDF has handed over military centers in Hasakah and Qamishli, along with airports and oil fields in the northeast, to government forces.