We’ve arrived to the last week of 2025. During last several months there have been tensions in the media, connected to the deadline of the March agreements. But as the deadline nears, the clearer it becomes that escalation of the armed conflict is not in Damascus’ interests right now. Negotiations continue and according to the plan the decision on SDF integration as an autonomous force is to be taken before January 2026. Further political steps between NES and Damascus won’t be rushed.
Whatever the diplomatic developments, the reality is still far from the coexistence of self-governed autonomy and the state, suggested by the Kurdish liberation movement. Yet again this week, Kurdish neighborhoods in Aleppo were attacked. Clashes between interim government forces and Kurdish self-defense units in Ashrafiyeh and Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhoods take place regularly, and this time the attacks coincided with a Turkish delegation visit in Damascus. The Jolani government consistently uses armed attacks as pressure for diplomatic talks: we already saw that when the new proposal for SDF integration was made and the tensions on borders with the NES that followed.
Northeast Syria is one of key elements in talks between Jolani and Turkey. Realizing that his diplomacy with the Western hegemonic states won’t benefit from the escalation of armed conflict with the SDF, he doesn’t risk starting war without gaining the support of strong allies. For example, Turkey.
We want to conclude our final evaluation in 2025 on a positive note. Revolution in conditions of permanent war is really hard. But we have to remember what has been achieved even in such harsh conditions. People realizing their place in the world, in history, women realizing their own importance and possibilities, understanding how systems of oppression work, realizing themselves as actors who can change the world around them. In the midst of constant war and everyday struggle for existence in difficult economic and ecologic conditions, people managed to grow political self-determination and build a strong society. Communes, victories of women’s liberation, education, people’s self-defense — only a part of all the achievements of these 13 years. We are happy to be part of that process.
And we still stay on the ground and follow the events. In the situation of absolute instability, the only thing to rely on might be that very instability. We continue to analyze the developments and keep you updated.
Revolutionary frosty greetings from snow-covered NE Syria! 🖤
(A) in NES
