In a significant development amid ongoing tensions in northeast Syria, Mazloum Abdi, the commander-in-chief of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), asserted on Sunday that his forces remain committed to safeguarding the region's "achievements," even as they withdraw from strategic areas and enter a new agreement for integration with the Syrian state.

His statement followed an announcement by Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa that the two had signed a deal to halt clashes and begin integrating the SDF and its administered territories into the Syrian Arab Army and state institutions. This marks the second such agreement, following a similar pact in March of last year that was never fully implemented.

"The war was imposed on us," Abdi stated in a video message broadcast by the pro-SDF Ronahi TV, referencing recent hostilities. "We wanted to prevent it, but unfortunately, because it was planned by many forces, it was imposed on us." He claimed the conflict was designed to ignite a civil war, and that to avoid further bloodshed, the SDF agreed to withdraw from parts of Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa provinces toward Hasaka.

Despite this tactical pullback from oil-rich areas, Abdi struck a defiant note regarding the future of the Kurdish-led autonomous administration. "We are determined to protect the achievements of the revolution and the gains of our people, while preserving the specific characteristics of our region," he said. "We have the capability to do so."

The path forward remains uncertain. President al-Sharaa noted that a planned meeting between himself and Abdi in Damascus on Sunday was postponed to Monday due to bad weather. Abdi confirmed the rescheduled meeting, promising to provide the public with further details upon his return.

The new agreement, if enacted, would represent a major shift in the complex Syrian conflict, potentially bringing a large swath of the country long under SDF and Kurdish control back under Damascus's umbrella. However, Abdi's emphasis on preserving the region's "specific characteristics" underscores the unresolved core issues of autonomy and governance that have plagued previous attempts at integration. The international community, particularly the United States, which has partnered with the SDF against ISIS, will be watching closely as the delicate negotiations unfold.