Syrian Kurdish women carry signs during a march in support of the people of Sweida in the eastern city of Qamishli, on July 17, 2025. (Credit: Delil Souleiman/AFP)
Amidst the chaotic handling of a kidnapping that escalated into intercommunal clashes, which then involved government forces, the Kurdish authorities in northeast Syria remain determined to protect their autonomy.Despite signing a preliminary agreement with Damascus in March to integrate the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the Syrian army, they refuse to centralize power and instead support a federal system.For several weeks now, however, Washington seems determined to rein in the ambitions of their allies. This position was reiterated last weekend, as the cease-fire in Sweida remained precarious. Context from our archives Americans continue to support the Kurds of Syria, but also their integration into Damascus In an interview with the Associated Press on Monday, U.S. envoy for Syria Tom Barrack stated that he did not believe...
Amidst the chaotic handling of a kidnapping that escalated into intercommunal clashes, which then involved government forces, the Kurdish authorities in northeast Syria remain determined to protect their autonomy.Despite signing a preliminary agreement with Damascus in March to integrate the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the Syrian army, they refuse to centralize power and instead support a federal system.For several weeks now, however, Washington seems determined to rein in the ambitions of their allies. This position was reiterated last weekend, as the cease-fire in Sweida remained precarious. Context from our archives Americans continue to support the Kurds of Syria, but also their integration into Damascus In an interview with the Associated Press on Monday, U.S. envoy for Syria Tom Barrack stated that he did not believe...
