SDF’s Abdi announces new phase in implementing January 29 Agreement

The General Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Mazloum Abdi, announced during a ceremony marking the centenary of the founding of Qamishlo on August 20 that the process of integrating military, security and administrative institutions with Syrian state institutions had been completed, stressing that this marks a transition to a new phase in implementing understandings with the Syrian government.

The announcement represents progress on one of the main implementation tracks of the agreement signed between the two sides on January 29, 2026. However, the agreement goes beyond integration, encompassing provisions on a ceasefire, military and security arrangements, the integration of civilian institutions, the return of displaced people, the settlement of Kurdish civil and educational rights, and other issues.

The January 29 agreement stipulated the "withdrawal of military forces from points of contact, the entry of security forces affiliated with the Ministry of Interior into the centers of Hasakah and Qamishli, and the launch of the process of integrating security forces in the region." It also called for the formation of a military division comprising three brigades from the SDF, in addition to a brigade for Kobani forces within a division affiliated with Aleppo Governorate.

The agreement also provides for the integration of Autonomous Administration institutions into Syrian state institutions, while retaining civilian employees. It further calls for resolving the civil and educational rights of the Kurdish people and ensuring the return of displaced people to their areas.

The agreement aims to unify Syrian territory and achieve full integration in the region by strengthening cooperation among the parties concerned and coordinating efforts to rebuild the country.

What Has Been Achieved in the Integration Process?

According to the latest official data and statements, the military and security component has reached completion after steps were taken to integrate forces and personnel into army institutions and integrate the security component into the Ministry of Interior. Some internal administrative procedures within the institutions are still ongoing, as Mazloum Abdi confirmed several days ago.

Women's Protection Units (YPJ) file, meanwhile, remains under discussion

At the civilian and service levels, the unification of institutions has reached advanced stages, covering several sectors, including education, health, energy, electricity, water and agriculture, according to monitoring by Hawar News Agency.

In the health sector, institutional integration arrangements have advanced as part of the process of unifying service institutions. Meanwhile, the energy and oil file has been incorporated into state institutions, alongside continued efforts to develop and operate oil and gas fields in the region.

The Syrian government announced on February 9 that it had begun procedures to take over the Rmeilan and Sweidiya oil fields as part of implementing the agreement.

In education, steps to integrate educational and administrative institutions have been completed, but the issue of mother-tongue education and curricula remains unresolved. This leaves the education file among the issues requiring further agreement between the two sides during the next phase referred to by Abdi in his statements.

Judiciary Gradually Resumes Operations

On the judicial front, arrangements have moved into the practical implementation phase. Hasakah Deputy Governor Ahmed al-Hilali discussed with Public Prosecutor Judge Ghazi Sheikh Ibrahim the procedures needed to reactivate the Palace of Justice, judicial complexes and courts, with preparations underway for them to begin operating in early September.

Unresolved Issues Under the Agreement

Despite the announcement that military, security and administrative integration has been completed, several provisions of the January 29 agreement still require further implementation, foremost among them the return of displaced people. The return file includes around 100,000 displaced people from Serekaniye, Shahba, and those displaced from Grî Spî and Raqqa.

While some families have begun returning to Serekaniye, the return of all displaced people has not been completed due to attacks against returnees by occupants of their homes. Security, property, services and suitable conditions for return also remain unresolved.

The issues of mother-tongue education and curricula, completing some local administration arrangements, and guaranteeing Kurdish civil, educational, cultural and political rights remain under discussion between the two sides.

Presidential Decree Overlaps with Kurdish Cultural Rights File

On January 16, 2026, several weeks before the agreement, Transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa issued Decree No. 13, which recognized Syrian Kurds as "an essential and integral part of the Syrian people" and stated that their cultural and linguistic identity forms part of Syria's national identity.

Article 2 of the decree states that the state "is committed to protecting cultural and linguistic diversity and guarantees the right of Kurdish citizens to revive their heritage and arts and develop their mother tongue." Article 3 recognizes Kurdish as a national language and permits its teaching in public and private schools in areas where Kurds constitute a significant proportion of the population, either as an elective subject or as an educational and cultural activity.

The decree also repealed exceptional measures linked to the 1962 census and provided for restoring Syrian citizenship to citizens of Kurdish origin residing in the country, including those whose registration status had been withheld. It also recognized Newroz as an official holiday.

The available information indicates that the next phase referred to by Abdi during Qamishlo's centenary celebrations will include intensified political efforts to guarantee the legitimate rights of the Kurdish people and other components in the Syrian constitution. These issues also constitute the remaining provisions of the January 29 agreement.

Worth to note that the Jazira Women’s Authority has also been integrated into the Ministry of Family and Labor Affairs.

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ANHA