Syria Ahmed al-Sharaa SDF Integration 2026: The End of Kurdish Autonomy

Is the dream of Kurdish autonomy in Syria finally over? Ahmed al-Sharaa has achieved what his predecessor couldn't: reasserting Damascus' control over the vast, resource-rich northeast that was held by Kurdish-led forces for over a decade.

US Support and the Syria Ahmed al-Sharaa SDF Integration Deal

According to reports from Beirut, the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) signed a landmark 14-point agreement on Sunday. This deal effectively dismantles the SDF as an autonomous military, requiring its members to join the Syrian national army as individuals. This marks the most significant territorial shift since the end of the civil war in December 2024.

President Donald Trump has been a pivotal player in this transformation. By lifting sanctions and hosting Sharaa at the White House, the US has signaled that its partnership with the Kurds—once vital for defeating IS—has reached its expiration date. Tom Barrack, the US special envoy, stated that Sharaa's government now represents the best chance for Syrian stability.

Resource Control and Minority Concessions

The transfer of power isn't just military; it's economic. Syria's largest oil and gas fields are moving back under government control. To ease the transition, Sharaa has designated Kurdish as a national language and granted citizenship to stateless Kurds. However, a four-day ceasefire announced on Tuesday highlights the fragile nature of this integration as troops remain positioned near Kurdish-majority areas.