Hasakah on Edge: Syria’s New Security Deal Faces First Test

On Monday, February 2, the implementation of the amended January 18 agreement begins with Syrian government security forces entering the city of al-Hasakah, currently controlled by the SDF.

Tension prevails in the city after the SDF security forces, known as Asayish, announced a curfew from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., while government supporters plan welcoming marches for the government forces, and opponents prepare demonstrations against them.

Syrians are watching today to see whether the new agreement can hold, after two previous agreements collapsed. International and regional powers mediated this new deal, including the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, represented by its president Masoud Barzani, who called Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa yesterday to discuss its implementation.

The possibility of military clashes remains, especially with hardline SDF elements linked to the PKK who appear to still reject or resist the agreement. This threatens renewed fighting, particularly after the Syrian army withdrew from the outskirts of al-Hasakah under the terms of the deal.

Yesterday, two government delegations entered both al-Hasakah and the town of Ayn al-Arab (Kobani), led by Brigadier General Marwan al-Ali, head of government security in al-Hasakah, and Colonel Muhammad Abdul Ghani, his counterpart in Aleppo. Both reassured Syrian Kurds that the entry of Syrian security forces is not a threat and discussed with Asayish the mechanism for their deployment.

Meanwhile, an SDF-affiliated militia organized demonstrations in the city yesterday, continuing overnight with displays of PKK flags and images, despite the agreement stipulating the PKK’s departure from Syrian territory.

Syrian security forces had previously entered the Kurdish-majority Aleppo neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh in January without violations, even releasing Kurdish fighters and allowing them to settle their status. Activists report fear among Kurds of government forces, often described as “Daesh” in attempts to mobilize Kurds internally and foreign powers externally. U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham has threatened

to propose sanctions in Congress following the Syrian army’s victories over the SDF and seizure of large areas, despite President al-Sharaa issuing Decree No. 13 granting Kurds rights not available under previous governments, accompanied by the return of hundreds of Kurdish displaced persons to Afrin.

Politically, SDF leader Aldar Khalil said the militia agreed with the Syrian government to appoint Nour al-Din Khanika as governor of al-Hasakah. SDF commander Mazloum Abdi was offered the post of assistant defense minister but refused, leading to the nomination of “Cia Kobani,” reportedly wanted by Turkey on terrorism charges.

The amended January 18 agreement grants the Syrian government security control over al-Hasakah, Qamishli, and Ayn al-Arab, still under SDF control, in exchange for the Syrian army’s withdrawal and cessation of fighting. SDF forces are to be integrated into a Syrian army division with three brigades and nominate representatives for the posts of governor of al-Hasakah, assistant defense minister, and members of parliament.

The agreement also gives the government control over oil and gas fields and border crossings, especially the Simalka crossing with Iraqi Kurdistan, and stipulates the merger of SDF civil institutions with government institutions.

After the March 10 agreement between the Syrian government and the SDF expired at the end of 2025, limited clashes in Aleppo escalated into a major battle, accompanied by Arab tribal defections from the SDF. This led to government control of western Aleppo, Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa, and parts of al-Hasakah, culminating in the January 18 agreement that halted fighting and opened negotiations. Today marks the first practical test of the agreement’s durability, amid international approval.

Sources: sana, official statements from the Syrian government and sdf.

Syria news report