About two years ago, groups led by Ahmet eş-Şara took control of the Syrian government with the approval of Western powers, ending the Baas regime of Hafız Esad, who came to power in the 1970 coup, and launching a search for a new regime. However, the legal basis of this regime, its fundamental rights and freedoms, its name, and how it will hold together different faith and ethnic groups remain unclear. The administration, which is in the process of becoming institutionalized, is supported largely by the US and, to a certain extent, by Türkiye.
Under the agreement dated August 25, 2026, Mazlum Abdi announced in Damascus the dissolution of the autonomous administration’s institutions and the integration of SDG into the Syrian army. Because there is no constitution, the provisions of the agreement can be interpreted differently, and how it will be implemented depends on the text of the constitution. In Kurdish circles, some view the agreement as a defeat and surrender, while others believe it will bring significant gains if the promises made are kept; the overall approach is cautious.
It is stated that the agreement could be considered a gain for the Kurds and regional peace, provided that constitutional guarantees are secured. During the Esad era, Kurdish identity was denied, the language and culture were not supported, and approximately 20% of Kurds were deprived of citizenship.
Why it matters
The central significance of the development is that the new order being established in Syria will be shaped not merely by a change in power, but by the legal framework and guarantees of rights. Unless there is a constitutional basis, the scope of the agreement will remain open to different interpretations; this will create uncertainty, particularly regarding the status of the Kurds, language and cultural rights, and the conditions for different religious and ethnic groups to live together. How the Damascus administration will put the guarantees given into writing and implement them will be the main factor determining whether the agreement is considered a loss or a gain for the Kurds. Therefore, the outstanding question is not so much the name of the new administration, but which constitutional mechanisms will protect rights and how the integration of institutions will be carried out.
Background
Syria is not a new name in the FikirPilot archive: in the last 90 days, we have published 4 reports mentioning it; the most recent is dated August 29, 2026.