Syria's New Power Play: Kurds Lose Ground

Syria's political landscape has shifted dramatically since Bashar al-Assad's departure.

New Leadership and Challenges

The new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has been making waves, both good and bad.

• Efforts to Win Over the West:

• Trying to attract foreign investment, especially from the United States.

• Internal Struggles:
• Ongoing fights between different groups make it hard for Sharaa to unify the country.

Recent Military Moves

Sharaa's forces have made significant territorial gains:

• Key Areas Retaken:
• Oil fields
• Dams

• Other valuable resources

• Impact on the SDF:
• The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were caught off guard.
• Their leader, Mazloum Abdi, had to sign a deal with Damascus.

Tense Relationships

• Sharaa's Goals:

• Wants to control all of Syria.

• SDF's Aspirations:
• Wanted to maintain a semi-autonomous region.

• Diplomatic Failures:
• Could not agree on the details.
• Sharaa resorted to force, leading to the SDF's surrender.

Terms of the Deal

• Territorial Changes:

• Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa will return to Syrian government control.

• Resource Control:

• All oil and gas facilities will be under Syria's control.

• Military Integration:

• SDF fighters will join the Syrian army.

• Local Control:
• Kurds might retain some local control in al-Hasakah.

International Implications

• U.S. Involvement:

• Some believe the Trump administration should have done more to support the Kurds.

• Trump's Stance:

• Close relationship with Sharaa makes strong action against him unlikely.

• Kurdish Expectations:

• Thought the U.S. would always support them, but the situation has changed.

• Future Goals:
• Trump and Sharaa aim for a unified and stable Syria, pushing aside any obstacles.