In a potential shift with far-reaching implications for Syria's fragile geopolitics, the Syrian government may tacitly accept agreements between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Turkey—provided they avert wider conflict and uphold regional stability, according to a leading international relations analyst.
The Syrian Observer reported that expert Tareq Ziad Wahbi, in an interview with media outlet 963+, indicated Damascus is likely aware of ongoing SDF-Turkey negotiations but could permit limited bilateral arrangements, particularly given Ankara's prior support for President Ahmad al-Sharaa's leadership. This nuanced stance underscores Syria's pragmatic approach to mitigating tensions along its northern border.
Thaw in Relations: From Confrontation to Dialogue
Recent months have revealed unprecedented direct communication between the SDF and senior Turkish officials, marking a stark departure from years of hostility. In May 2025, SDF General Commander Mazloum Abdi confirmed the group had established both direct and mediated channels with Turkey, even expressing openness to a potential meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The shift gained further momentum in June when Tulay Hatimoglulari, co-chair of Turkey's Democracy and Equality Party, noted that reciprocal visits between Turkish delegates and officials from northeast Syria's Autonomous Administration could rejuvenate Ankara's stalled peace process.
Driving Forces: Turkey's Internal Shifts
Wahbi attributes this diplomatic breakthrough primarily to seismic political changes within Turkey, particularly Ankara's reconciliation with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). This internal detente, he argues, has dismantled barriers to engaging with the SDF, which were previously considered non-negotiable. On the ground, the thaw is already visible: Kurds traveling from Europe to Syria via Turkey now encounter fewer border restrictions, a shift Wahbi links to Ankara's softened posture following the PKK's disarmament. Consequently, Turkey has moved away from policies aimed at displacing Kurdish communities along the frontier, potentially enabling greater economic exchange and cross-border movement.
Boundaries and Strategic Gains
Despite the progress, Wahbi cautions that a standalone SDF-Turkey agreement excluding Damascus remains unlikely. He emphasizes that al-Sharaa's government, while monitoring the talks, would confine any tolerated arrangements to narrow scopes to preserve Syria's central authority. Nevertheless, direct ties with Turkey could yield substantial strategic dividends for the SDF—potentially outweighing gains from negotiations with Damascus. Wahbi speculates Ankara may soon appoint an official liaison to coordinate with Syrian Kurdish representatives, with both Erdogan and al-Sharaa overseeing the process to ensure alignment with their respective interests.
One significant potential outcome for the SDF, Wahbi highlights, could be the restoration of historically Arabised areas in northern Syria to Kurdish control. He adds that Damascus might deliberately overlook contentious issues, such as military command unification, if doing so prevents broader escalation. However, Wahbi downplays the influence of pro-Kurdish parties in Turkey, noting Ankara's persistent wariness of unified Kurdish leadership. Instead, he advises the SDF to prioritize building direct trust with Turkish state institutions—potentially through a Kurdish representative within a Turkish political party—to avoid over-reliance on mediation.
Context: Beyond Failed Damascus Talks
Wahbi clarifies that these negotiations are not a revival of the collapsed Damascus-SDF talks. Initially, Turkey reaped political rewards for backing Syria's transitional leadership after the Assad regime's fall. Yet, as al-Sharaa's administration prioritized national unification, inclusive governance, and reconstruction, rifts emerged with Ankara. The SDF, having consolidated robust military and administrative institutions over the past decade, has since positioned itself as a vital partner for Damascus in security coordination and international diplomacy, particularly with Western nations.
In essence, Wahbi concludes, Damascus's openness to SDF-Turkey agreements reflects a calculated strategy to harness shifting regional dynamics for stability. As Turkey's internal politics evolve, the SDF may secure concessions without triggering renewed conflict—though Syria's ultimate goal remains safeguarding its sovereignty amid a complex web of alliances.