Key Points:
- The United States is actively supporting the integration of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into Syria’s national institutions, aiming for a unified Syrian state.
- US Special Envoy Tom Barrack and State Department officials have emphasized that federalism is not supported and that unity is the only viable path for Syria.
- The landmark March 2025 agreement between SDF leader Mazloum Abdi and Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, brokered with US backing, is facing delays and complex negotiations.
- The agreement recognizes Kurds as an integral part of Syria, promises constitutional rights, and stipulates a nationwide ceasefire and the return of displaced Syrians.
- US officials have presented the Syrian government with a list of demands in exchange for partial sanctions relief, including the exclusion of foreign nationals from top government roles and the destruction of chemical weapons.
- The Trump administration recently revoked the terrorist designation of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the former al-Nusra Front, as part of efforts to stabilize Syria and encourage normalization with Israel.
- The UN has reported no active ties between the current Syrian leadership and al-Qaeda, easing concerns over the new government’s composition.
- Disagreements persist between the SDF and Damascus over decentralization, local autonomy, and the control of oil-rich territories.
- The US is urging international partners to repatriate nationals from displaced-persons camps in eastern Syria and is reassessing its military presence in the country.
- France is expected to join the US in overseeing the SDF integration process to prevent escalation and ensure implementation.
- The future of US military support and funding for the SDF remains uncertain as the administration signals a gradual withdrawal.
- Regional actors, including Israel and Turkey, are closely monitoring developments, with concerns over security, border control, and the influence of Kurdish groups.
The United States is intensifying its efforts to forge a unified Syrian state by supporting the integration of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into national institutions, a move fraught with political, ethnic, and security challenges. As negotiations unfold between Damascus and the SDF, US officials are navigating a complex landscape of competing interests, regional anxieties, and the legacy of years of conflict.
Why Is the US Pushing for SDF Integration in Syria?
As reported by Seth J. Frantzman of the Jerusalem Post, US policy under President Donald Trump is unequivocal: “one Syria and one army,” with no support for federalism or autonomous regions. The US administration has tasked Special Envoy Tom Barrack with the mission of achieving a stable, unified Syria, including the integration of the SDF into the country’s military and political framework.
A State Department spokesperson told Rudaw,
“Discussions on the integration of the SDF into the Syrian government are ongoing and active. We support the continuation of these discussions as the best way to resolve any outstanding issues”.
The spokesperson added that the focus remains on implementing President Trump’s vision for Syria, promoting peace and stability both domestically and regionally.
What Are the Terms and Challenges of the SDF Integration Agreement?
According to reporting by Rudaw and Hurriyet Daily News, the landmark agreement signed on March 10, 2025, by SDF chief Mazloum Abdi and interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa—brokered with US support—recognizes Kurds as an integral part of Syria, guarantees constitutional rights, and stipulates a nationwide ceasefire and the return of displaced persons. The agreement also calls for the integration of all civil and military institutions in the northeast, including control over border crossings, oil and gas fields, and airports.
However, as noted by Hurriyet Daily News, implementation has been hampered by disagreements over the degree of decentralization and local autonomy. The SDF, which controls vast oil-rich territories in northern Syria, has demanded a decentralized system, while Damascus insists on centralized authority. Sources told Syria TV that the implementation timeline may be extended and that certain provisions could be amended to address SDF demands.
How Is the US Mediating Between the SDF and Damascus?
As reported by Anadolu Agency, US Special Envoy Tom Barrack has acknowledged the difficulties in building trust between the parties, stating,
“There’s not enough specifics in the agreement to have made it work.”
Barrack emphasized that the US is there to “usher” the process, not to “enforce” it, and that integration will take time due to the lack of trust.
Barrack also highlighted the need for “reasonableness” on the part of the Syrian government and said,
“The logical thing to do is incorporate SDF, who are the best of a fighting class.”
He expressed optimism that:
“The parties would eventually come together and that would be a beautiful marriage”.
What Are the US Demands for Sanctions Relief and Normalization?
According to a Reuters report cited by Al Jazeera, the US has presented the Syrian government with a list of conditions for partial sanctions relief. These include the destruction of any remaining chemical weapons, cooperation on counterterrorism, and a ban on foreign nationals holding top government positions. The US has also called for the exclusion of foreign fighters from senior roles within Syria’s governance structure.
Syrian officials, including President Ahmed al-Sharaa, have called for the complete removal of sanctions, arguing that it is unfair to maintain them after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad. The Trump administration’s stance remains ambiguous, with divisions within Washington over how to engage with the new Syrian leadership.
How Has the International Community Responded?
The US decision to revoke the terrorist designation of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has been framed as a step toward stabilization and normalization. As reported by Peoples Dispatch, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the revocation, citing the dissolution of HTS and the new government’s commitment to combating terrorism. The move is seen as an incentive for Syria’s interim government to sign a normalization agreement with Israel.
A UN report cited by the Times of Israel and Reuters found no active ties between the current Syrian leadership and al-Qaeda, despite skepticism from Russia and China. This finding bolsters the US bid to lift sanctions and supports the Trump administration’s vision of a peaceful, unified Syria.
Diplomats and humanitarian organizations have argued that lifting sanctions would help rebuild Syria’s economy, reduce authoritarianism, and limit the appeal of radical groups. President Trump has stated that many countries, including Israel, requested the lifting of sanctions, though Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was reportedly caught off guard by the White House’s decision.
What Is the Future of US Military Presence and International Oversight?
As reported by Reuters, the US military is poised to consolidate its presence in Syria, potentially reducing troop numbers by half. Defense Secretary Hegset is conducting a global assessment of US military deployments, and US officials have indicated that assistance to displaced-persons camps and SDF-managed facilities cannot continue indefinitely.
France is expected to join the US in overseeing the SDF integration process, with sources stressing the need to prevent escalation and ensure the agreement’s implementation. The Pentagon has allocated $130 million for 2026 under the “Counter-ISIS Train and Equip Fund” for groups in Syria, including the SDF.
What Are the Main Obstacles to a Unified Syria?
According to an analysis by Al Jazeera’s Osama Bin Javaid, the integration of the SDF into Syrian state structures faces complex challenges, particularly along the Turkish frontier and in areas with historic sectarian divides. The SDF’s decision-making process is influenced by PKK leadership, which may be reluctant to surrender its semi-independent administration in Kurdish areas. The broad terms of the agreement and the long implementation timeline leave room for conflicting interpretations and potential backtracking.
The Washington Institute for Near East Policy notes that the SDF has accepted nominal integration but prefers to maintain local command over Kurdish units, a point of contention that will require further negotiation and international support.
How Are Regional Actors Reacting to the US Push for Unity?
Turkey remains wary of Kurdish influence in Syria, viewing the YPG—the main component of the SDF—as a terrorist organization linked to the PKK. The US has sought to reassure Turkey that it does not support federalism or Kurdish independence, but tensions persist over border security and the future of Kurdish-held territories.
Israel and Gulf states are monitoring developments closely, with some analysts arguing that a stable and unified Syria would serve their interests by countering Iranian and Russian influence in the region.
What Lies Ahead for Syria’s Path to Unity?
The integration of the SDF into Syria’s national institutions represents a critical test for the country’s future. As reported by multiple outlets, the process is fraught with uncertainty, but it is widely seen as essential for lasting peace, economic recovery, and regional stability.
The US, while signaling a gradual reduction of its military footprint, remains deeply involved in mediating between the parties and shaping the terms of Syria’s post-war order. The coming months will be pivotal as executive committees work to implement the agreement and as international actors weigh their continued support for Syria’s fragile transition.