Eurasia Press & News
Mazloum Abdi, the General Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), said that while the military aspects of the integration agreement with the Syrian government are moving forward, key civilian files — including the judiciary, education, and the return of displaced residents — continue to face significant complications.
In an interview with the SDF-aligned Hawer News Agency, Abdi noted that the military agreement signed on January 29 has seen “important developments,” with preparations underway for SDF commanders to assume their posts in military academies. He added that an understanding has been reached to ensure that no employee of the Autonomous Administration is excluded, even as discussions continue over personnel numbers in both the military and internal security forces.
Abdi acknowledged that the judiciary file had been obstructed by the absence of a clear mechanism for integrating judges from the Autonomous Administration. He said new understandings with Damascus now guarantee their inclusion. He also pointed to a partial resolution of the dispute over removing Kurdish from the identification plaque of the Justice Palace in Hasakah, explaining that bilingual Arabic-Kurdish signage will be adopted in cities with Kurdish majorities.
On education, Abdi said the question of adopting Kurdish as a language of instruction “remains unresolved.” He expected, however, that official recognition of Autonomous Administration middle- and high-school certificates would be announced “today or tomorrow.” The Administration’s curricula, he added, will remain in place for this year and next until new unified curricula are issued.
Regarding displaced residents, Abdi said the return of Afrin’s population has been delayed by slow government procedures, stressing that returnees must receive the same rights as residents of Jazira and Ain al-Arab (Kobani). He noted that steps have begun to dismantle contact lines in Ras al-Ayn and Tell Abyad to facilitate returns.
Addressing the prisoner file, Abdi said the SDF “suffered a setback” after withdrawing from Deir Hafir, reporting that approximately 260 fighters were killed — rejecting higher figures circulating elsewhere. He added that negotiations are ongoing to secure the release of remaining prisoners “within this week.”
Abdi conceded that the agreement with Damascus “did not meet all aspirations,” but emphasized that both sides share a commitment to avoid a return to armed conflict. He urged Kurdish political forces to enter the upcoming parliamentary elections with a unified message, and stressed that the agreement’s success depends on “Turkey not becoming an obstacle” to its implementation.
