Syrian government security forces entered the northeastern city of Qamishli on Tuesday, completing the most significant step yet in bringing the Kurdish-controlled region under Damascus's direct authority. Convoys from the Interior Ministry arrived in the city, which has served as the de facto political capital of Kurdish self-administration for over a decade, as part of a phased integration agreement announced last Friday.
The deployment follows a similar move into Hasakeh on Monday and represents the practical end of the autonomous governance project that emerged from Syria's civil war. Kurdish security forces imposed a curfew ahead of the arrival to ensure an orderly transition, while Damascus prepares to assume control of state buildings, the airport, and civil registries across the region.
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Security sources and witnesses confirmed that Interior Ministry units, not regular military forces, entered Qamishli without significant resistance. The distinction reflects the terms negotiated between President Ahmed al-Sharaa's government and Syrian Democratic Forces commander Mazloum Abdi, which specify that only internal security personnel will initially deploy to urban centers.
The agreement, characterized by Washington as a "historic milestone," mandates the integration of SDF fighters into Syria's Defence Ministry and the handover of strategically vital border crossings and oil fields to central government control. On the ground, reactions remain mixed. While some residents express cautious optimism about stability under a "new Syria," many Kurds voice deep anxiety about living under Damascus's authority after years of self-rule. Isolated reports emerged of villagers attempting to obstruct the convoys' approach, though these incidents did not escalate.
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The entry of Syrian forces into Qamishli marks the operational conclusion of a governance experiment that once spanned one-third of Syrian territory. What began as a de facto autonomous administration during the chaos of civil war is ending through a combination of military pressure and geopolitical realignment. The coming weeks will test whether Damascus can establish effective control while managing Kurdish concerns about their future role in a reunified Syrian state.
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