The Syrian interim government signed an agreement on Monday with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) that govern the de facto autonomous regions in the north and north-east of the country.

The deal will integrate SDF institutions into the new government, handing over control of border checkpoints as well as the region’s oil and gas fields to the central government.

While the SDF had previously been excluded from a national dialogue conference due to their refusal to disarm, President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with SDF leader Mazloum Abdi to sign the deal, which is expected to be implemented by the end of the year.

Abdi called the accord a “real opportunity to build a new Syria.”

“We are committed to building a better future that guarantees the rights of all Syrians and fulfills their aspirations for peace and dignity,” the SDF leader said on X.