In a significant diplomatic development, the United States, Syria, and Turkey have agreed to advance plans for the integration of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into Syria’s national defense, economic, and civic institutions, U.S. Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack announced on Thursday.

The agreement was detailed following a trilateral meeting on the sidelines of Monday's historic White House meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The discussions involved U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

In a post on the social media platform X, Barrack stated that the officials “mapped out the next phase of the [U.S.-Syria-Turkey] framework,” which specifically includes “integrating the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the new Syrian economic, defense, and civic structure.”

This announcement builds upon a March 10 agreement between the government of Damascus and the SDF, which created an initial roadmap for reintegrating SDF-held territories in northeastern Syria back under central government control. That earlier plan involved the transfer of authority over border crossings, airports, and key oil and gas fields to Damascus.

Following the Washington meeting, Barrack held a call with SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi, assuring him that the United States recognizes the SDF's crucial role over the past decade in defeating the Islamic State (ISIS) and maintaining security in northeast Syria. President Trump also reportedly praised the group's contributions to regional stability.

The integration plan addresses a core concern for Turkey, which has long viewed the SDF as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a designated terrorist organization in Ankara. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the talks reflected a shared understanding that “Syria must remain one and whole,” emphasizing the importance of preventing the country's partition.

The SDF, the principal U.S. partner in the fight against ISIS, has controlled large swathes of northeastern Syria since the territorial defeat of the militant group in 2019. While the SDF's political leadership has sought guarantees for local autonomy and cultural rights, the Syrian government has historically insisted on the force's full subordination to the Syrian Defense Ministry.