Syria's New Government Launches Diplomatic Offensive with U.S. and Turkey

Syria's new government leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has entered into diplomatic negotiations over the integration of Kurdish forces, holding successive phone conversations with U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

According to Reuters, al-Sharaa and Trump agreed during their call on the 19th that the rights and protection of the Kurdish people must be guaranteed, and also committed to continuing cooperation in the fight against the Islamic State (IS). In a separate call the same day with Erdoğan, al-Sharaa secured Turkey's promise of increased support for Syria's territorial integrity, stability, and security.

Turkey Emphasizes 'One State, One Army' Principle

President Erdoğan emphasized during a press conference following a cabinet meeting in Ankara on the 19th that the Kurdish coalition 'Syrian Democratic Forces' (SDF) must swiftly implement ceasefire conditions and integrate into the Syrian army.

"I am pleased that the military operation that began last week concluded with a ceasefire agreement and complete integration," he stated, adding that "the Syrian army conducted operations with surgical precision to minimize civilian casualties." He continued, "The era of terrorism in our region has completely ended," warning that "no one should make mistakes anymore."

Erdoğan declared that "the 'one state, one army' principle is an essential condition for Syria's stability" and stated that "Turkey fully supports all measures to establish and strengthen this principle."

Historical Context of the Kurdish Issue After Syria's Civil War

Since the Syrian civil war began in 2011, Kurdish forces have established a de facto autonomous region in northeastern Syria. Following the emergence of IS in 2014, the U.S.-backed SDF became a key partner in anti-IS operations, securing significant territory and military capabilities in the process.

However, Turkey has long regarded the YPG Kurdish militia—the core of the SDF—as an extension of the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party), a Kurdish insurgent organization within Turkey, and has classified it as a security threat. Since 2016, Turkey has conducted several anti-Kurdish military operations in northern Syria, and this ceasefire agreement is an extension of those tensions.

The status of Kurdish forces has entered a new phase following the establishment of Syria's new government. The al-Sharaa government is pursuing the dismantlement of Kurdish armed organizations and their incorporation into the regular army under the banners of national integration and counter-terrorism, which aligns with Turkey's strategic interests.

Diplomatic Schedule Adjustments and Focus on Internal Issues

According to Germany's NTV broadcaster, al-Sharaa canceled his planned visit to Germany on the 19th-20th, citing domestic political circumstances. This demonstrates that Kurdish integration is the new government's top priority.

Throughout Syria, a welcoming atmosphere has emerged following news of the ceasefire agreement. Erdoğan remarked that "the scenes coming from Syrian cities such as Aleppo, Raqqa, and Deir ez-Zor demonstrate the Syrian people's desire for peace."

Future Outlook [AI Analysis]

The process of integrating Kurdish forces into the Syrian army is likely to face numerous obstacles. The SDF possesses considerable negotiating power as the U.S. partner in anti-IS operations and is likely to resist relinquishing autonomy.

The U.S. position is also a variable. The Trump administration's mention of protecting Kurdish rights suggests it may prefer gradual integration rather than complete disarmament. This could conflict with Turkey's demands for swift integration.

From a regional stability perspective, resolving the Kurdish issue is expected to be crucial for Syria's reconstruction. Successful integration would provide a foundation for national normalization, but failure could sow the seeds of new conflict. The al-Sharaa government faces the difficult challenge of finding a balance between military pressure and political negotiation.