The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) signed an agreement with Syria’s interim government on Monday to integrate its civilian and military institutions into the state, marking a significant shift in the country’s post-war landscape.
Photos released by the Syrian presidency showed interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and SDF commander Mazloum Abdi shaking hands in Damascus, finalizing a deal that brings SDF-controlled areas in northeast Syria under government administration.
The agreement allows for the transfer of border crossings, an airport, and oil and gas fields into Damascus' control by the end of the year. However, it does not clarify how the SDF’s forces will be incorporated into Syria’s defense ministry, a key unresolved issue.
The move comes as Sharaa faces unrest in western Syria, where mass killings of Alawite civilians have sparked widespread condemnation. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the violence, while analysts say the deal with the SDF could help Sharaa consolidate power and reassure minority groups.
For the SDF, the deal is seen as a hedge against uncertainty, particularly amid fears that U.S. President Donald Trump could suddenly withdraw American troops from Syria, ending a decade-long partnership with Kurdish forces against Islamic State.
The SDF has long been in conflict with Turkey-backed armed groups in northern Syria, though Ankara has not yet commented on the agreement.
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President Trump called on countries to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while Starmer said the UK is working with allies to restore navigation and stabilise oil markets. It comes as a strike near Iraq’s western border killed several Hashed al-Shaabi fighters, raising regional tensions.
Senior officials from the United States and China met in Paris this week for a new round of trade talks, as the world’s two largest economies attempt to manage their economic rivalry and avoid further tensions.
Court documents released on Monday (16 March) revealed that the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has asked a U.S. judge to dismiss President Donald Trump's $10 billion defamation suit over a 2024 documentary, arguing his re-election proves the edited 2021 speech did not harm his reputation.
Governments around the world are responding cautiously to U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for countries to send naval ships to the Strait of Hormuz to protect commercial shipping and help restore the flow of global oil supplies.
Iran says it is open to talks with countries seeking safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz - disrupted by recent attacks - as Israel continues to launch wide‑scale strikes on Iranian infrastructure in the west. This live report tracks the latest developments.
President Trump called on countries to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while Starmer said the UK is working with allies to restore navigation and stabilise oil markets. It comes as a strike near Iraq’s western border killed several Hashed al-Shaabi fighters, raising regional tensions.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 15 March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Top U.S. and Chinese economic officials launched a new round of talks in Paris on Sunday (15 March) to resolve issues in their trade truce. The discussions aim to smooth the way for U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end of March.
The other evening, I was fuelling my car at a petrol station in Kenya’s capital. It was one of those small moments most motorists barely notice. The attendant filled the tank, I glanced at the pump price, paid, and drove off.
Governments around the world are responding cautiously to U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for countries to send naval ships to the Strait of Hormuz to protect commercial shipping and help restore the flow of global oil supplies.
Kyrgyzstan lawmaker Shairbek Tashiev has resigned from parliament after being questioned by investigators. The Central Election Commission confirmed it has formally terminated his parliamentary mandate.
Kazakhstan’s next presidential election will be held in 2029 in line with the Constitution, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said after voting in a referendum on a draft new Constitution amid debate over whether the reforms could signal a future transfer of power.
China’s special envoy for Afghanistan has begun visits to Kabul and Islamabad to mediate between the two countries, as cross-border clashes continue following Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan in February.
Israel is set to approve the mobilisation of up to 450,000 reserve troops at the request of the military, as Israeli forces begin further ground attacks in southern Lebanon against the Iran-backed group Hezbollah.
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