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Ahmed Ash-Sharaa assumes leadership in Syria for 100 days
(MENAFN) A hundred days have passed since Ahmed Ash-Sharaa assumed leadership in Syria, yet hopes for a swift and lasting peace remain unfulfilled. The country continues to grapple with deep-seated challenges, including persistent Western sanctions and ongoing ethno-sectarian divisions that sometimes escalate into violent clashes.
The new government is striving for national reconciliation, aiming to turn the page on past conflicts and unify Syrian society. However, years of war have left behind complex tensions that cannot be resolved overnight. Despite proposed reforms and diplomatic initiatives, polarization persists, and foreign powers continue to exert influence over the country's affairs.
One of the primary goals of the new administration is to legitimize its rule by fostering unity among Syria’s diverse communities. Initially, concerns arose over potential resistance from the pro-Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), given their historical opposition to Turkish influence.
However, on March 10, the Syrian government and the Kurdish-led administration in the northeast reached a significant agreement. Signed by Interim President Ahmed Ash-Sharaa and SDF commander Mazloum Abdi, the deal outlines a gradual integration of Kurdish military and civilian institutions into Syria’s national framework.
According to the agreement, the SDF will transfer control of border crossings, oil fields, prisons, and other key infrastructure to Damascus by the end of the year. In exchange, Kurdish communities will receive constitutional guarantees, including linguistic rights in education and full political participation. The SDF has also pledged to support Damascus in countering Assad loyalists and other threats to Syria’s stability.
While Abdi acknowledged the agreement as a step toward peace, he emphasized that the exact mechanisms and timeline for implementation remain unclear. Notably, he reaffirmed Syria’s commitment to a unified military, capital, and national flag while pledging to expel all foreign fighters within the SDF—likely referring to members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), whose presence has been a major point of contention with Turkey.
SDF spokesperson Farhad Shami clarified that the agreement, mediated by the United States, remains preliminary. It does not immediately authorize Syrian government forces to enter Kurdish territories or assume control of oil fields and detention facilities housing ISIS militants. Experts suggest that Washington’s involvement reflects its broader strategy of maintaining Kurdish autonomy as a means of influencing both Syria and Turkey. Additionally, reports indicate that the US is considering a full withdrawal of its troops from Syria, shifting responsibility for its regional interests to Kurdish forces.
The agreement coincided with a major military campaign by Syrian government forces against Alawite insurgents in the northwest, marking the deadliest conflict since Assad's removal in December 2024. Despite efforts toward stabilization, Syria remains in a fragile state, with internal divisions and external pressures shaping the country’s uncertain future. Whether Ash-Sharaa’s leadership can ultimately bring lasting peace is yet to be seen.
The new government is striving for national reconciliation, aiming to turn the page on past conflicts and unify Syrian society. However, years of war have left behind complex tensions that cannot be resolved overnight. Despite proposed reforms and diplomatic initiatives, polarization persists, and foreign powers continue to exert influence over the country's affairs.
One of the primary goals of the new administration is to legitimize its rule by fostering unity among Syria’s diverse communities. Initially, concerns arose over potential resistance from the pro-Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), given their historical opposition to Turkish influence.
However, on March 10, the Syrian government and the Kurdish-led administration in the northeast reached a significant agreement. Signed by Interim President Ahmed Ash-Sharaa and SDF commander Mazloum Abdi, the deal outlines a gradual integration of Kurdish military and civilian institutions into Syria’s national framework.
According to the agreement, the SDF will transfer control of border crossings, oil fields, prisons, and other key infrastructure to Damascus by the end of the year. In exchange, Kurdish communities will receive constitutional guarantees, including linguistic rights in education and full political participation. The SDF has also pledged to support Damascus in countering Assad loyalists and other threats to Syria’s stability.
While Abdi acknowledged the agreement as a step toward peace, he emphasized that the exact mechanisms and timeline for implementation remain unclear. Notably, he reaffirmed Syria’s commitment to a unified military, capital, and national flag while pledging to expel all foreign fighters within the SDF—likely referring to members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), whose presence has been a major point of contention with Turkey.
SDF spokesperson Farhad Shami clarified that the agreement, mediated by the United States, remains preliminary. It does not immediately authorize Syrian government forces to enter Kurdish territories or assume control of oil fields and detention facilities housing ISIS militants. Experts suggest that Washington’s involvement reflects its broader strategy of maintaining Kurdish autonomy as a means of influencing both Syria and Turkey. Additionally, reports indicate that the US is considering a full withdrawal of its troops from Syria, shifting responsibility for its regional interests to Kurdish forces.
The agreement coincided with a major military campaign by Syrian government forces against Alawite insurgents in the northwest, marking the deadliest conflict since Assad's removal in December 2024. Despite efforts toward stabilization, Syria remains in a fragile state, with internal divisions and external pressures shaping the country’s uncertain future. Whether Ash-Sharaa’s leadership can ultimately bring lasting peace is yet to be seen.
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