Deal reached with Damascus on Hasaka governor: SDF candidate

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) candidate for governor of Hasaka says an agreement has been reached with the Syrian interim government to nominate him for the post, marking a coordination between the two sides over a senior administrative position after weeks of intense clashes.

Nour al-Din Ahmed told Rudaw on Sunday that “an agreement has been reached between the two sides on my name to assume the position of governor of Hasaka.”

He added that he is expected to travel to Damascus within the next two days, where he will meet with Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and other senior government officials to finalize the process.

Addressing Kurds and residents of the Kurdish region in northeastern Syria (Rojava), Ahmed framed his nomination as a responsibility tied to the sacrifices made during years of conflict.

“I ask Almighty God to grant us success in this endeavor, which is for the good of our people and our country. I swear to remain faithful to the blood of our martyrs and to serve my people and the residents of the region with all my strength,” he said.

Outlining his priorities should he assume office, Ahmed said his focus would be on restoring stability and fairness in governance.

“My primary tasks, along with the relevant parties, will be to establish social justice and provide security, stability, and peace for our society,” he stated.

He also stressed that tackling corruption would be central to his agenda, pledging inclusive governance for all communities in the province. “Combating corruption and serving all components [of society]” would be a key pillar of his work, he said, adding reassurance that “the future will be better.”

Hasaka province, located in Rojava, has long been administered by Kurdish-led authorities under the Autonomous Administration, while Damascus has sought to reassert state control over the past few weeks.

Since mid-January, the Syrian Arab Army and its affiliated armed groups launched a major offensive in Rojava, leading to gradual withdrawal of the Kurdish force from areas under their control, including regions in Aleppo, Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa, and near the predominantly Kurdish province of Hasaka in eastern Rojava.

The bulk of the areas seized by Damascus and its allied forces were previously liberated by Kurdish-led fighters from the Islamic State (ISIS) following the group’s declaration of its so-called caliphate in Syria and Iraq in 2014.

On Friday, SDF reached a “comprehensive agreement” with Syria’s transitional government in Damascus, which includes allowing security forces affiliated with the Ministry of Interior to enter the northeastern cities of Hasaka and Qamishli.

The agreement stipulates that government forces will enter the Kurdish-controlled northeastern cities of Hasaka and Qamishli, while three army brigades will be formed from SDF forces.