The UN Special Envoy for Syria, the European Parliament and the foreign ministers of France and Germany have welcomed the 10 March agreement between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Damascus government, following the endorsement of the deal by Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Hailed as a significant step toward greater stability and inclusivity, the provisions of the accord implement a nationwide ceasefire, integrate the SDF into a national military, give formal recognition to the Kurds and minorities, and facilitate the return of displaced Syrians to their homes.
UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen expressed his support for the agreement, expressing optimism that it could pave the way for a credible and inclusive political transition for post-Assad Syria. Speaking to North Press on Tuesday, Pedersen’s spokesperson Jennifer Fenton noted the significance of the agreement in advancing broader political developments in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254:
“The Special Envoy hopes that the agreement can serve as a foundation for a broader, credible and inclusive political transition process, leading to a new constitution and free and fair elections.”
Pedersen’s office urged key international players, including the US, Turkey and regional stakeholders, to actively back this development. “The Special Envoy strongly encourages key international stakeholders to support their Syrian partners in reaching a nationwide ceasefire and fostering genuine compromises that pave the way for peace and stability in northeast Syria,” Fenton added.
At a session on Tuesday, the European Parliament welcomed the agreement between the SDF and Damascus, noting that lasting stability in Syria hinges on an inclusive political transition. It highlighted the need for the future government to reflect Syria’s pluralism and uphold democratic principles, fundamental rights and freedoms.
However, the parliament expressed concern over the exclusion of Kurdish political representatives from Syria’s National Dialogue Conference on 25 February and urged the interim government to ensure their participation. They also called for a transparent roadmap for political transition and pledged to monitor human rights conditions closely.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot underlined his country’s support for the agreement, while stressing France’s continued commitment to the security of its citizens and the fight against terrorism. “We condemn all acts of violence against civilians whoever the perpetrators,” Barrot said, referring to the sectarian violence which erupted in the west of Syria last week, resulting in the massacre of hundreds of Alawite civilians.
He also highlighted the French government’s role in strengthening counter-terrorism efforts, describing the SDF as “staunch allies in the fight against Da’esh [ISIS]”. In a subsequent X post, Barrot reaffirmed France’s solidarity with the SDF, saying:
“I welcome the agreement signed with Damascus, which must guarantee the rights and security of our Kurdish partners and the continuation with them of the fight against Da’esh. France will remain at their side.”
In Berlin, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock echoed Barrot’s support. She stressed the necessity of investigating the targeted killings of civilians in Syria, condemning these acts as crimes. “Syria will only achieve peace when all Syrians can live with equal rights and security,” she said.
Baerbock also highlighted the importance of the agreement to integrate Syrian Kurdish forces into a national structure, calling it a crucial step toward a united Syria and the inclusive political participation of all population groups:
“The integration of the Syrian Kurds and their forces into the state structures is a very important step towards a united Syria and political participation of all population groups. We have been working towards this with our partners in recent weeks.”
In post-Assad Syria, the new deal comes as a watershed moment for Syrian Kurdish rights and recognition, promising the establishment of a cohesive national framework for equitable political representation and the return of displaced civilians amid a nationwide ceasefire.
Yet, despite widespread international backing, the integration of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES)—anchored in a secular, leftist and female-centric governance model—into a transitional government that includes Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) raises profound uncertainties about the agreement’s durability and the ideological fault lines it must navigate.
