Syrian security forces enter Kurdish stronghold under integration deal

Syrian government security personnel enter Hasakeh city, a stronghold of Kurdish forces, under an integration deal agreed with the Kurds last week, according to an AFP team.

The two sides reached a comprehensive agreement on Friday to gradually integrate the Kurds’ military and civilian institutions into the state, after Kurdish forces ceded territory to advancing government troops in recent weeks after months of tensions and sporadic clashes.

The government’s push to extend its authority across the entire country comes as a blow to the Kurds, who had sought to preserve their de facto autonomy in parts of the north and northeast that they seized while battling the Islamic State (ISIS) jihadist group during Syria’s civil war.

AFP correspondents report seeing a convoy of government vehicles cross a Kurdish forces checkpoint on its way into Hakaseh in the northeast, as armed Kurdish personnel stand at the roadside.

Some residents gather along the road to welcome the government forces, waving Syrian flags as women ululate.

Marwan al-Ali, the government’s recently appointed head of internal security in Hasakeh province, urges state forces to carry out their tasks “according to the established plans and fully comply with laws and regulations.”

AFP correspondents report seeing Kurdish security forces deploy inside Hasakeh as government forces enter, though streets were empty and shops closed due to a curfew in force until 6:00 p.m. (5:00 p.m. Israel time).

Mazloum Abdi, head of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), had previously said the deal would be implemented on the ground beginning today, with both sides to pull forces back from frontline positions in parts of the northeast, and from the town of Kobane in the north.

He said a “limited internal security force” would enter parts of Hasakeh and Qamishli, but that “no military forces will enter any Kurdish city or town.”

A curfew is set to be put in place for the city of Qamishli tomorrow.

Friday’s deal “seeks to unify Syrian territory,” including Kurdish areas, while also maintaining an ongoing ceasefire and introducing the “gradual integration” of Kurdish forces and administrative institutions. It also appeared to include some Kurdish demands, such as establishing brigades of fighters from the SDF.