NYT: Syria nears unification as government enters Kurdish regions

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press

RAQQA, SYRIA —  Syrian government forces have entered former Kurdish strongholds, marking the first time in 15 years the country is nearing unification under a single central authority, according to the New York Times.

One year after the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime, the new government led by President Ahmed el-Shara is consolidating power in strategic eastern regions. The advancement into cities like Hasakah and Raqqa effectively signals the end of Kurdish aspirations for autonomy. This shift follows a pivotal decision by the Trump administration to withdraw support for Kurdish groups in favor of el-Shara’s unified Syria project.

SDF integration and strategic retreats

Following the diplomatic shift in Washington, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) lost their positions around Aleppo and were forced to retreat to Hasakah. According to an agreement between the central government and Kurdish leadership, SDF armed units are now being integrated into the Syrian Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Interior.

Government troops entered Hasakah accompanied by flights from U.S.-led coalition aircraft, underscoring the international coordination behind the transition. The Shara administration is currently utilizing a combination of military presence and reconciliation centers to ensure the surrender of weapons in exchange for official travel documents.

Polarized reactions on the ground

The return of central authority has elicited starkly different reactions among the local population. Arab residents, many of whom lived under SDF administration for years, celebrated the arrival of government forces as a liberation from what they described as a "repressive police state."

"In 2013, our entire village was evacuated. Not even a bird could fly here. Now we are back and repairing our home," said Ahmed el-Ahmad, 40, a resident of Al Belasha village. Conversely, many Kurdish residents remain cautious or view the development as a betrayal of their autonomy dreams. However, some have expressed relief regarding the restoration of property rights and the reconnection of their cities to the national grid.

Rebuilding a ruined infrastructure

The scale of the task ahead for the Shara government is immense, as years of conflict have left the region’s infrastructure in ruins. In major cities like Raqqa, trash overflows into the streets, and transportation relies on temporary ramps. The local economy, which was built around the SDF administration, has largely collapsed, leaving thousands unemployed.

To address the legal and social fallout, a panel of 11 judges worked through the weekend at Raqqa’s main prison to review the files of 1,600 detainees. The newly appointed Governor of Raqqa, Abdurahman Salamah, emphasized the necessity of central control, stating, "Syria cannot stand while even a single part of the country remains out of control."

The government’s primary challenge moving forward will be to heal deep social divisions and revitalize the economy while securing vast territories that have been outside of central authority for over a decade.

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