Source: TH
Subject: Mapping
Context: Renewed fighting between Syrian government forces and the Kurdish-led SDF has endangered Rojava’s autonomy after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in 2024.
- Despite a 14-point ceasefire and integration agreement, sharp disputes over autonomy, force deployment, and the roles of Türkiye and the U.S. continue.
About Rojava Region:
What it is?
- Rojava, officially called the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES), is a de facto autonomous region in northeastern Syria.
It follows the ideology of democratic confederalism, emphasizing local self-rule, gender equality, and ethnic pluralism, though it lacks international recognition.
Located in:
- Rojava lies in northeastern Syria, covering parts of Hasakah, Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor, Aleppo (Kobane)
- It is strategically located along the Euphrates basin and key oil- and gas-rich areas of eastern Syria.
Neighbouring countries / regions
- Türkiye to the north
- Iraq (Kurdistan Region) to the east
- Syrian government–controlled areas to the west and south
This location makes Rojava a geopolitical crossroads involving regional and global powers.
History:
- 2012: Syrian state forces withdrew from Kurdish areas during the civil war, allowing Kurds to establish self-administration.
- 2014–2015: Kurdish militias, especially the People’s Protection Units (YPG), gained global prominence after defeating ISIS at Kobane with U.S. air support.
- 2015: Formation of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a multi-ethnic alliance led by Kurds.
- 2016–2023: Region evolved through multiple constitutional forms, culminating in DAANES.
- 2024–26: After Assad’s fall, Syrian interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa moved to re-centralise power, leading to clashes and loss of nearly 80% of DAANES-held territory.
Core issues
- Autonomy vs centralisation: Damascus wants a unified, centralised Syrian state; Kurds seek to retain self-rule built over a decade.
- Security control: The government demands individual integration of SDF fighters, while Kurds resist deployment of state troops in core Kurdish cities like Kobane and Qamishli.
- External actors:
- Türkiye opposes Kurdish autonomy, viewing the YPG as linked to the PKK.
- United States earlier backed the SDF against ISIS but is now warming to Damascus to counter Iran and Russia.
- ISIS risk: Fighting has enabled jailbreaks and instability, reviving jihadist threats.
