The Syrian army has made significant gains in its campaign to regain control over territory previously held by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). In a major development, the military has secured control of the strategic city of Tabqa, located in the Raqqa governorate.
The capture of Tabqa is a crucial victory for the Syrian government, as the city had served as a stronghold for the SDF. The SDF, a coalition of Kurdish and Arab fighters, had been in control of Tabqa since 2017, when they wrested it from the grip of the Islamic State (IS) group.
According to military sources, the Syrian army’s advance into Tabqa was met with little resistance from the SDF. The successful operation is seen as a significant blow to the SDF’s presence in the region and a step forward in the government’s efforts to reassert its authority over the entire country.
In a related development, Syrian President Bashar al-Sharaa has signed a decree recognising the rights of the Kurdish minority within the country. The decree is seen as a move to appease the Kurdish population, who have long demanded greater autonomy and recognition of their cultural and linguistic rights.
The Kurdish issue has been a complex and contentious one in Syria, with the SDF, which is predominantly Kurdish, having carved out a semi-autonomous region in the north of the country during the civil war. The government’s recognition of Kurdish rights could be a strategic attempt to win over the Kurdish population and undermine the SDF’s influence in the region.
The recent advances by the Syrian army, coupled with the president’s decree, have raised questions about the future of the SDF and the role of the Kurds in the country’s political landscape. Analysts suggest that the government’s moves could be part of a broader strategy to consolidate its control over the entire country and marginalise the influence of the SDF and other opposition groups.
However, it remains to be seen how the Kurds and the SDF will respond to these developments. The situation in the region remains fluid, and the potential for further clashes and conflict cannot be ruled out.
As the Syrian government continues its push to regain control over the country, the international community will be closely watching the developments in Raqqa and the broader implications for the country’s political and security landscape.
