5.1.1. Syrian Democratic Forces

Following the 10 March agreement between the government and SDF, several de-escalation and reintegration steps were taken, including the SDF’s withdrawal from the Kurdish neighbourhoods of Sheikh Maksoud and Ashrafieh in Aleppo city in early April738 and a partial handover of the Tishreen Dam to government forces.739 As of late April Etana Syria reported that the initial implementation of the SDF-government agreement over the Tishreen Dam brought early progress, including joint patrols and a stated SDF commitment to withdraw from front-line areas.740

Meanwhile, Kurdish groups publicly called for decentralisation741 and convened a national conference in Qamishli, gathering around 400 representatives from major Kurdish political and armed groups, including the SDF, its political arm the Democratic Union Party (PYD), and the rival Kurdish National Council (KNC). Participants collectively rejected the interim authorities’ Constitutional Declaration, which they criticised as an attempt to centralise power in Damascus.742 While reaffirming their commitment to a unified Syria, they issued a joint political statement calling for a federal system in Syria that would unify the administration of all Kurdish-majority areas in the northeast.743 The conference outcomes sparked a sharp reaction from interim President al-Sharaa, who denounced the resolutions and accused Kurdish groups of attempting to fragment Syrian sovereignty. Al-Sharaa reiterated that decentralisation remains a ‘red line’ for the transitional government.744

As of late April, tensions between the government and the SDF had escalated, leading both sides to reinforce their military positions around the Tishreen Dam.745 Sporadic clashes between the two sides were reported in May746 and early June.747 Negotiations over the disputed Tishreen Dam on the Euphrates River remained unresolved as of late May, with no clear agreement reached.748

In May, ISW reported that SDF have not disarmed, citing fears that elements of the Turkish-backed SNA may target Kurdish communities.749 In late May, PYD representatives announced that a DAANES delegation plans to negotiate with the government on key national issues, including the structure of the Syrian government and army, as well as potential amendments to the Constitutional Declaration.750 As of early June, negotiations between the two parties were ongoing and agreements were reached on prisoner exchanges and establishing specialised committees for the implementation of the March 10 agreement.751
 

• 5.1.2.    Assad-aligned militias
• 5.1.3.    ISIL