Kurdistan

The economic track is defined by external political pressure, not internal developments. A senior US senator has proposed a 'Save the Kurds' bill seeking new Syria sanctions, representing the only direct economic action noted this period.

Politics is dominated by a decisive shift toward integration with Damascus. The Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces have reached a formal agreement and ceasefire, hailed by the US as a historic milestone and welcomed by Qatar and Saudi Arabia. This follows a period where Kurds felt betrayed and on the defensive as the US turned its back.

• 1Could events in Syria have a wider impact for Kurds?

Security dynamics show a Syrian government offensive consolidating territorial control over former Kurdish areas. The Syrian army has entered areas east of Aleppo, captured territories held by Kurds for over a decade, and detained hundreds, while Kurdish forces withdraw and hand over prisons. A formal ceasefire is now in place, but the campaign has scrambled US counter-terror policy.

• 3Syrian army enters areas east of Aleppo as Kurds withdraw
• 2Syria government forces said to detain 300 Kurds, evacuate 400 fighters from Aleppo
• 1Syrian forces make gains against SDF: What it means for country’s Kurds
• 1Rapid army advance against Kurds reshapes Syria's political map
• 1Syrian army claims capture of strategic Kurdish-held city

Society is characterized by a profound sense of abandonment and global protest. Syrian Kurds feel disappointed and betrayed by the US following the Damascus deal, sparking demonstrations in Zurich, Stuttgart, and calls for international defense. This occurs against a backdrop of a Syrian presidential decree guaranteeing Kurdish rights.

• 5Syrian President issues decree guaranteeing Kurdish rights
• 1Kurds in southeast Turkey feel abandoned by allies
• 1International community urged to defend Syrian Kurds
• 1Syria’s al-Sharaa signs decree protecting Kurds, declares Kurdish a ‘national language’