The interim government of Syria has demanded that the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces disarm and integrate, raising tensions in the region.
Tensions Escalate in Syria Over Kurdish Militia Integration Demands
Tensions Escalate in Syria Over Kurdish Militia Integration Demands
As Syria's new leaders push for disarmament of the Kurdish-led forces, the future of national dialogue hangs in the balance.
In a significant move towards reshaping the political landscape in Syria, the interim government based in Damascus has called on the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to disarm and merge into a national army. This demand is part of a broader effort to form a caretaker government following the fall of the previous dictatorship in December.
According to Hassan al-Daghim, who chairs the committee aimed at orchestrating a national dialogue, negotiations can only progress if armed groups—including the SDF—commit to laying down their arms and integrating under the Ministry of Defense. Al-Daghim emphasized that “this is a fundamental issue,” posing a potential threat to the inclusion of the SDF in crucial talks regarding Syria’s political future.
The call for disarmament comes as plans are underway to convene a conference to establish a new administration governing the country until elections are held, although the date for this dialogue has not yet been announced. The SDF, primarily composed of Kurdish fighters, has historically resisted disarmament, especially after its instrumental role, supported by the United States, in combating the Islamic State (IS) insurgency which had seized significant territory in Syria until its defeat in 2019.
With the Islamic State still posing a threat in the region, the disarmament demand from the interim government forms a critical juncture as it navigates a fraught political climate, and worries grow that sidelining the SDF might exacerbate existing tensions within Syria. International observers remain watchful of how these developments unfold in the coming weeks.
According to Hassan al-Daghim, who chairs the committee aimed at orchestrating a national dialogue, negotiations can only progress if armed groups—including the SDF—commit to laying down their arms and integrating under the Ministry of Defense. Al-Daghim emphasized that “this is a fundamental issue,” posing a potential threat to the inclusion of the SDF in crucial talks regarding Syria’s political future.
The call for disarmament comes as plans are underway to convene a conference to establish a new administration governing the country until elections are held, although the date for this dialogue has not yet been announced. The SDF, primarily composed of Kurdish fighters, has historically resisted disarmament, especially after its instrumental role, supported by the United States, in combating the Islamic State (IS) insurgency which had seized significant territory in Syria until its defeat in 2019.
With the Islamic State still posing a threat in the region, the disarmament demand from the interim government forms a critical juncture as it navigates a fraught political climate, and worries grow that sidelining the SDF might exacerbate existing tensions within Syria. International observers remain watchful of how these developments unfold in the coming weeks.
