US welcomes SDF-STG agreement, Turkey’s DEM Party links it to Öcalan’s call for peace

WASHINGTON D.C. / ANKARA — The US State Department has officially expressed its support for the recent agreement between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian Transitional Government (STG), emphasizing its alignment with efforts to establish a credible, non-sectarian government in Syria. Meanwhile, Turkey’s Equality and Peoples’ Democracy Party (DEM Party) has connected the agreement to the ongoing peace initiatives of imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (Partiya Karkerên Kurdistanê, PKK) Abdullah Öcalan.

Step Toward a United Syria

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented on the agreement, stating, “The United States welcomes the recently announced agreement between the Syrian interim authorities and the Syrian Democratic Forces to integrate the northeast into a unified Syria.” Rubio reiterated Washington’s commitment to Syria’s political transition, emphasizing that a non-sectarian government is essential for preventing further conflict and violence.

The United States welcomes the recently announced agreement between the Syrian interim authorities and the Syrian Democratic Forces to integrate the northeast into a unified Syria.

The United States reaffirms its support for a political transition that demonstrates credible,…

— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) March 12, 2025

Rubio also highlighted the US’s concerns over escalating violence in the region and urged all parties to uphold peace and inclusivity, particularly in light of recent incidents affecting ethnic and religious communities.

DEM Party Links Agreement to Öcalan’s Peace Call

Tuncer Bakırhan, Co-Chair of the DEM Party, underscored the significance of the agreement, connecting it to Abdullah Öcalan’s vision for peace and democratic unity. Bakırhan described this year’s Newroz celebrations as a pivotal moment to support Öcalan’s peace initiative, calling it “the Newroz of peace.”

Eş Genel Başkanlarımız Tülay Hatimoğulları ve Tuncer Bakırhan’ın katılımıyla Amed ve İstanbul’da 2025 Newroz Deklarasyonunu açıkladık.

Sayın Öcalan’ın Barış ve Demokratik Toplum Çağrısına Newroz alanlarını doldurarak sahip çıkacağız. 2025 Newrozunu bu tarihi çağrının ruhuyla ve… pic.twitter.com/q0PukWDbJy

— DEM Parti (@DEMGenelMerkezi) March 11, 2025

Bakırhan emphasized that the agreement aligns with Öcalan’s vision for a multi-ethnic and inclusive Syria. “This agreement was signed to create a Syria where all peoples and religions live together in peace and democracy, free from sectarian oppression,” he stated. He highlighted the agreement’s commitment to rejecting authoritarianism and sectarianism, fostering coexistence among Kurds, Alawites, Arabs, Druze, Christians, Armenians, and other ethnic and religious communities in Syria.

Multi-Ethnic Vision for Syria’s Future

The agreement represents a potential milestone in Syria’s fragmented political landscape. If successfully implemented, it could serve as a model for decentralization and pluralistic governance in a nation still grappling with the consequences of civil war.

Challenges Ahead

Despite its promise, the agreement faces significant obstacles, including opposition from hardline factions within Syria and skepticism from regional powers such as Turkey, which remains wary of the SDF due to its links to the PKK.

The success of this initiative will rely on sustained international backing and a genuine commitment from all parties to prioritize peace and inclusivity over entrenched political rivalries.