Kurdish Forces Face Retreat in Syria as Political Landscape Shifts
In northeast Syria, Kurdish-led forces are experiencing significant setbacks, with their semi-autonomous region rapidly shrinking under pressure from government troops. This development is reshaping the country's fragile balance of power, raising urgent questions about the future of Kurdish communities and Syria's path to peace.
Decade of Autonomy Under Threat
For over ten years, Kurdish authorities governed parts of northeast Syria with a high degree of autonomy, establishing a unique political and social system. However, recent clashes between government forces and Kurdish fighters are destabilising the region, threatening to derail Syria's already tenuous push towards lasting stability. Under the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which allied with the US and Western powers to defeat the Islamic State, the northeast remained one of the last areas outside full government control. This status is now eroding quickly, as forces loyal to interim President Ahmad al Sharaa push deep into Kurdish-held territories.
Military Campaigns and Humanitarian Concerns
Government troops have retaken key cities originally captured from ISIS by Kurdish forces, including Raqqa, where residents celebrated the withdrawal of Kurdish fighters. One of the most consequential takeovers has been al Hawl camp, a vast detention facility holding families linked to the Islamic State, leading to scenes of chaos. Meanwhile, al Roj camp remains under Kurdish control, where conditions are harsh and overcrowded. Women and children, like Zeelan, a Turkish national who has spent nearly a decade in the camp since age 12, express despair and a desire for education and freedom, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Political Demands and Kurdish Resistance
Damascus is demanding that Kurdish forces disarm and integrate into the national army, a move Kurdish leaders say is impossible without firm security guarantees and political autonomy. The new interim government, led by former rebel factions with extremist links, is viewed with deep mistrust in Kurdish areas. Thousands of Kurdish civilians have fled advancing forces, seeking refuge in places like a mosque in Qamishli, where Shireen Abdul Fattah fears a full-scale conflict and describes the new leadership as hostile to Kurdish communities.
Economic Stakes and Regional Tensions
At stake in this conflict is control over the vast majority of Syria's oil and gas reserves, located in the northeast, which are vital for the country's rebuilding efforts after years of war. Despite their losses, Kurdish forces remain a sizeable military force with aspirations of statehood. Tensions continue to rise, with armed militias patrolling roads at night, and a 15-day ceasefire for transferring ISIS prisoners to Iraq is already fraying. Kurdish fighters warn they are prepared to fight to the end if the Syrian army attempts to seize the region by force.
