DW with AFP, dpa
February 1, 2026
An agreement to transition control from Kurdish to government forces is now underway. It brings the end to weeks of fighting as well as the Kurds' years-long de facto autonomy.
What's in the agreement between Kurdish forces and the Syrian government?
A deal was struck between the two sides after government forces managed to push back the SDF in large parts of the territory they have held for years after fighting of the so-called "Islamic State" (IS).
The agreement brought an end to fighting across large parts of Syria's north, including in its largest city, Aleppo.
The deal sets out the "gradual integration" of Kurdish forces into administrative institutions and includes the establishment of brigades made up of SDF fighters.
Kurdish forces will also hand over control of Qamishli airport, oil fields and border crossings to the government within 10 days, according to Syrian Information Minister Hamza Mustafa.
Since toppling Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, the Islamist forces that now make up the government have pledged to protect minority rights, but have struggled to unite the countries various ethnic groups, with conflicts breaking out in Alawite coastal regions and with the Druze in the country's south.
Edited by: Jenipher Camino Gonzalez
Alex Berry Writer and Editor in DW's online newsroom.
An agreement to transition control from Kurdish to government forces is now underway. It brings the end to weeks of fighting as well as the Kurds' years-long de facto autonomy.
The agreement with the Kurdish-majority north leaves the Druze-majority Sweida the only part of the country not under Damascus' direct control
Image: Mohamad Daboul/Anadolu Agency/IMAGO
Following a ceasefire deal between the Syrian central government and Kurdish-led forces, the Syrian army entered the city of al-Hassakeh on Monday.
Al-Hassakeh is one of the major Syrian cities that has been held by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), or that group's predecessors, since early in the country's decade-long civil war.
The arrival of military forces under command of the government in Damascus follows the signing of an agreement between the two sides that brought an end to weeks of fighting.
What happened in Syria's al-Hassakeh?
A convoy of government vehicles was seen by AFP correspondents as it crossed through a Kurdish-run checkpoint on its way to al-Hassakeh.
Kurdish sources said that over 100 forces had arrived in 16 vehicles. AFP reported that some residents had stood along the roadside waving Syrian flags to welcome the government forces.
Monday's development is part of an agreed plan to transition security responsibilities from Kurdish Asayish forces over to the Interior Ministry.
Kurdish forces remained deployed in al-Hassakeh on Monday, enforcing a curfew until 6 p.m. (1500 GMT).
The government's head of internal security in the province, Marwan al-Ali, called on state security forces to fulfill their duties "according to the established plans and fully comply with laws and regulations."
Following a ceasefire deal between the Syrian central government and Kurdish-led forces, the Syrian army entered the city of al-Hassakeh on Monday.
Al-Hassakeh is one of the major Syrian cities that has been held by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), or that group's predecessors, since early in the country's decade-long civil war.
The arrival of military forces under command of the government in Damascus follows the signing of an agreement between the two sides that brought an end to weeks of fighting.
What happened in Syria's al-Hassakeh?
A convoy of government vehicles was seen by AFP correspondents as it crossed through a Kurdish-run checkpoint on its way to al-Hassakeh.
Kurdish sources said that over 100 forces had arrived in 16 vehicles. AFP reported that some residents had stood along the roadside waving Syrian flags to welcome the government forces.
Monday's development is part of an agreed plan to transition security responsibilities from Kurdish Asayish forces over to the Interior Ministry.
Kurdish forces remained deployed in al-Hassakeh on Monday, enforcing a curfew until 6 p.m. (1500 GMT).
The government's head of internal security in the province, Marwan al-Ali, called on state security forces to fulfill their duties "according to the established plans and fully comply with laws and regulations."
The Kurds have a long history of being oppressed in Syria and it remains to be seen how the new government will treat them following the integration deal
Image: Izz Aldien Alqasem/Anadolu Agency/IMAGO
What's in the agreement between Kurdish forces and the Syrian government?
A deal was struck between the two sides after government forces managed to push back the SDF in large parts of the territory they have held for years after fighting of the so-called "Islamic State" (IS).
The agreement brought an end to fighting across large parts of Syria's north, including in its largest city, Aleppo.
The deal sets out the "gradual integration" of Kurdish forces into administrative institutions and includes the establishment of brigades made up of SDF fighters.
Kurdish forces will also hand over control of Qamishli airport, oil fields and border crossings to the government within 10 days, according to Syrian Information Minister Hamza Mustafa.
Since toppling Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, the Islamist forces that now make up the government have pledged to protect minority rights, but have struggled to unite the countries various ethnic groups, with conflicts breaking out in Alawite coastal regions and with the Druze in the country's south.
Edited by: Jenipher Camino Gonzalez
Alex Berry Writer and Editor in DW's online newsroom.
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