Syrian government troops are deployed to the city of Qamishli under an agreement between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in what is a major asset of power in northeastern Syria.
Such a deployment followed negotiations hosted in a bid to reduce tensions after clashing in the surrounding areas. Under the deal, Syrian forces had moved into designated positions and the SDF maintained control of other parts of the city.
Qamishli has long been a symbol of the conflict in Syria that is fragmented. The city has been the scene of unparalleled proximity of Syrian government forces, Kurdish-led units and foreign military players. This balance has been often tense but more or less stable.
Officials familiar with the deal said:
The move would be designed to stave off further violence and brush up key neighborhoods.
Officials
Syrian state media still described the deployment as a restoration of sovereignty. SDF sources said:
The arrangement was temporary, and was concerned with de-escalation and not a transfer of authority.
SDF Sources
The end to the fighting comes as pressure builds upon the SDF from a variety of angles. Turkey continues to regard the group as a security threat, whereas Damascus wants to reclaim lost territory earlier in the conflict. The SDF has been heavily backed by the US, which has varied in intensity.
Local people reported there were more checkpoints and there were more patrols but claimed that daily life was continuing without major disorder. Shops remained open and there were no immediate reports of displacement after the entry of the Syrian forces.
The development has broader implications for the current war that Syria continues to face. Damascus has been building its footprint through negotiated returns rather than large-scale offensives more slowly, in particular, in areas where verifiable direct conflict could attract outside actors.
To the SDF, the deal is a pragmatic approach. Maintaining local autonomy without falling into confrontation has grown increasingly difficult as the regional dynamics have changed. Talks have been kicked up with Damascus from time-to-time, and frequently stalling on matters of governance and control of security.
International reactions have been toned down. The United States has not voiced a public opinion on the specific arrangement, but has continually called for stability and protection of the people of northeastern Syria.
The ceasefire does not address deeper questions of what is the future of the region. Control is still split and there is only limited trust between the parties involved. Still, the agreement has lowered the level of immediate risks in a city where multiple forces are to operate side by side.
Whether this model will apply to other areas will depend upon shifting military and political calculations. For now, Qamishli is another example of how Syria’s conflict is to become less open warfare, and more fragile negotiated co-existence.