SDF Defeated by Al-Sharaa in High-Stakes Conflict with US Involvement

US Support for Syrian Democratic Forces Ends as Government Gains Control

A ceasefire between the Syrian military and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has been brokered by Washington, but the US has since declared that the SDF should reintegrate into the new Syrian state. The SDF, a Kurdish-led group controlling most of northeastern Syria, had long received support from the US.

The government has significantly expanded its territory under control, particularly in Arab-majority areas. The SDF’s primary patron, Washington, had brokered a ceasefire but sided with Damascus in declaring that the time had come for the SDF to reintegrate into the new Syrian state.

The decision to enlist the SDF in the fight against ISIL was made by the Obama administration, despite warnings from officials that backing the group would prolong the conflict and deepen sectarian tensions. The US had also risked fracturing Syria and undermining its ties with Turkey.

In recent days, the Syrian government has taken steps to reassure the Kurdish community that it will be protected, including granting citizenship to Kurds and recognizing Kurdish as a national language alongside Arabic. The Syrian military demonstrated impressive operational proficiency in defeating a US-trained and equipped force that had long been viewed as the only cohesive partner capable of countering ISIL.

The government gained control over vital oil and gas fields in the northeast, which will significantly accelerate Syria’s economic recovery while reducing its dependence on US financial support. This development has implications for the US, as it reassesses the scope and duration of its military presence in northeastern Syria.

Key developments include:

• The Syrian government has expanded its territory under control, particularly in Arab-majority areas.
• The SDF has been declared to reintegrate into the new Syrian state.
• The Syrian government has taken steps to reassure the Kurdish community that it will be protected.
• The Syrian military demonstrated impressive operational proficiency in defeating a US-trained and equipped force.
• The government gained control over vital oil and gas fields in the northeast.

Source: Al Jazeera