Syria's Rojava Autonomy Project Fades as SDF Negotiates Integration with Damascus

The autonomous Kurdish-led administration in northeastern Syria, known as Rojava, is being absorbed into the Syrian state following negotiations between President Ahmed al-Scharaa and Mazlum Abdi, commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in Damascus. The talks, held last week, signal a shift from seeking autonomy to negotiating the terms of integration. Rojava emerged about a decade ago after Kurdish fighters, supported by Western airstrikes, defended the city of Kobane against the Islamic State (IS). The victory led to an ambitious political experiment promoting local self-governance, ethnic diversity, and women's rights. However, recent developments indicate that these achievements, including cultural autonomy and local democracy, are at risk as the central government in Damascus asserts control. The speed of this transition has surprised observers, with many questioning what will remain of Rojava's legacy.