Lower thirds:
0:03  Report by / Mohamad Chreyteh
0:28  Sami al-Abd / Arab resident of Sayed Hamoud
1:07  Resident of al-Shadadi
1:42  Arab Resident of al-Hasakah city
2:00  Mohamad Chreyteh / DW Middle East Correspondent
2:44  Dalo Mohamed Ali / Kurdish Resident of al-Hasakah

Script:
0:02
I’m traveling towards al-Hasakah in Syria’s northeast.
The road there tells the story of a shifting balance of power. Flags of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces have been replaced by those of the Syrian government. This is one of many positions the SDF abandoned as it withdrew from Arab-majority villages in late January.

0:27
+++ Sami al-Abd, Arab resident of Sayed Hamoud,
“This used to be a school, but the SDF turned it into a military base and destroyed it before retreating. Now we just want to live in peace. We want the government to provide bread, water, and electricity. That’s all we ask.”

0:44
Further north, markets are open, and the state is slowly reasserting its presence It’s a relief for many Arab residents – who say they felt marginalised under SDF control. On this wall, someone marked the date that Kurdish forces withdrew from the town of al-Shadadi.

01:06
+++ Resident of al-Shadadi
“Since the government took control, bakeries are working again and we’re getting more hours of electricity. Before that, we were deprived and impoverished.”

01:22
We’re driving further north – and stop to put on our protective vests. We’re having to be more careful the closer we get to al Hasakah because of repeated ceasefire breaches in the area.

This Arab family has decided to return to the city anyway. 

01:41
+++ Arab Resident of al-Hasakah city
“It’s safe now for us to return to al-Hasakah.”

— Are you from al-Hasakah?
“Yes.”
— And are you going back to your home?
“Yes, God willing.”

01:53
Whether Al Hasakah is indeed safe, we’re unable to determine ourselves. 
01:59
+++ PTC - Mohamad Chreyteh, DW Middle East Correspondent
“This is as close to al-Hasakah city as we can get. Days ago, government forces entered through this point but have yet to claim control of the city. They won’t let us go in. And the SDF, which still has effective control and is operating this roadblock, has also told us no.”

02:18
But we’re working with a journalist who's in al Hasakah. 
He’s describing an uneasy atmosphere in the city since government forces have arrived -with heavily armed Kurdish forces still patrolling the streets. Kurdish residents we spoke to told us they’re worried that the agreement might not hold – and that they are unsure whether their voices will be heard in the new Syria.

02:43
+++ Dalo Mohamed Ali, Kurdish Resident of al-Hasakah 
“So far, there are no guarantees. We want to see real proof that Kurds will have their rights, that our identity and our language will be preserved. We want all of that to be written into the constitution.”

3:00
After 3 collapsed ceasefire deals and a long history of conflict with the central government. Syria's Kurds are looking for more than promises.