Recent escalations in northern Syria have sparked debate about the future of governance and control in the region, specifically concerning the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian government. Military operations continue in areas like Deir Hafer and Maskanah, intensifying both political and on-the-ground tensions.
Political analyst Abdul Munim Zein El-Din argues that the current situation is a natural progression towards the Syrian state regaining its territory and unifying under a single army and administration. He suggests that any area remaining outside government control is an anomaly. According to Zein El-Din, the Syrian army provided ample opportunity for dialogue to avoid bloodshed, but the SDF’s actions necessitated a military solution.
He characterized the recent events around Aleppo as a significant setback for the SDF, shattering the illusion of their strength and military defiance. Zein El-Din claims that the government was forced to respond militarily due to the SDF’s alleged use of drones and human shields. However, he maintains that the government remains open to international mediation aimed at securing peace.
Conversely, journalist Diliyar Jaziri asserts that the SDF adhered to an April agreement involving their withdrawal from the Ashrafiya and Sheikh Maqsood districts, retaining only light weaponry for internal security forces. Jaziri contends that the Syrian army failed to uphold its commitments under the same agreement, which included establishing a security center affiliated with the Syrian Interior Ministry within the aforementioned districts.
Jaziri further explains that the SDF objects to what they perceive as the current government’s continuation of the previous regime’s centralized mindset, evidenced by attempts to impose a uniform vision on Syrian society. This difference in perspective remains a significant obstacle in negotiations.
The core issue revolves around differing visions for Syria’s future, with the SDF advocating for decentralized governance and the government seemingly favoring a more centralized approach. Whether these divergent viewpoints can be reconciled through further negotiation remains to be seen.
