The Kurdish-Arab Consensus: A Pillar of Stability Amid Regional Turmoil

Amid the bloody conflicts ravaging the Middle East, particularly in Syria, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have emerged as a key player in the political and military landscape of Northern and Eastern Syria. Alongside the Arab tribes, the SDF represents a crucial pillar for stability in a region that constantly faces threats from extremist organizations and regional interventions. This voluntary alliance between Kurds and Arabs, alongside other components, is not merely a tactical collaboration to address immediate challenges; rather, it reflects deep social and political dynamics aimed at reshaping the political and social fabric of Northern and Eastern Syria, including the groundwork for drafting a new social contract.

This initiative to draft a social contract reflects the political developments in the region and aims to ensure representation for all communities in managing their own affairs. Through this ambitious project, the SDF stands not only as a force of defense but as part of a broader social fabric that seeks to transcend social and national tensions with a social contract that accommodates all collective and individual identities.

This alliance serves as an example of what might be called an “existential alliance,” where local communities recognize that the continuity of their existence and interests depend on their ability to cooperate and stand united in the face of common threats.

The SDF, as the self-defense force protecting the Autonomous Administration in Northern and Eastern Syria, has succeeded in integrating Arab tribes into its military structure as guardians of a broader project for the region’s people and communities. This integration has strengthened the SDF’s ability to confront threats, particularly from ISIS. This shift reflects a significant social transformation, as tribes, traditionally regarded as independent social structures, are found themselves involved in a broader political project that contribute to regional stability.

This transformation can be examined through a sociological lens, which explores how tribal structures, during periods of political collapse, evolve into partners in governance projects to protect their interests and expand their influence within the emerging political system.

In this context, the Kurdish-Arab partnership within the framework of the SDF can be seen as a form of voluntary alliance grounded in “reciprocal relations” that safeguard the common interests of all parties involved. This alliance not only addresses security needs but also embodies a commitment to social cohesion and the establishment of an institutional structure. This framework enables different communities to assert their rights and ensure their participation in managing regional affairs.

At the same time, the ongoing regional chaos creates fertile ground for the emergence of terrorist organizations and the exploitation of local conflicts. ISIS, having lost its main strongholds, seeks to rebuild its networks in areas marked by security vacuums or local tensions. Here, the role of the SDF is crucial, as they provide protection through their self-defense capabilities, thus preventing extremist groups from reorganizing in the liberated areas. This underscores the concept of “collective security,” in which the defense of the region becomes a shared responsibility among all communities.

In addition to these threats, Iranian interference seeks to disrupt tribal dynamics through sectarian programs and the recruitment of tribal members into local militias, posing an additional threat to the tribal and social balance in the region.

On a regional level, Turkish interventions in Northern and Eastern Syria exemplify the external threats facing this existential alliance. These military interventions aim to instigate direct and immediate demographic and geographic changes, posing a serious risk to local stability. Although the SDF has managed to counter these threats to a significant extent, limiting Turkey’s interventions requires greater international and regional support to prevent further escalation. In addition, Turkish interventions not only aim to control territory but also seek to dismantle the Kurdish-Arab alliance and exploit tribal vulnerabilities to create divisions within the region.

On another front, the Syrian regime has consistently refused to acknowledge the legitimate demands of local communities, both Kurdish and Arab, as part of a comprehensive political solution. The regime insists on managing the crisis in a traditional manner that fails to recognize the profound social and political changes that have occurred in Northern and Eastern Syria, further complicating the situation and rendering conflict resolution increasingly elusive.

In conclusion, the alliance between the SDF and the Arab tribes represents a new model for political and social coexistence in Syria. While external powers, such as Turkey and Iran, continue to attempt to exploit regional chaos for their own interests, the existential alliance among the components of the region acts as a force that prevents chaos from prevailing. This partnership between Kurds and Arabs signifies a fundamental shift in the dynamics of power and influence, and it holds the potential to establish a stable political system capable of addressing the challenges ahead.