SDF to join Syrian army under new agreement with Damascus
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The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are set to be integrated into the Syrian army under a new agreement with Damascus, while maintaining their presence in northeastern Syria.
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Mazloum Abdi, commander-in-chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the northeastern Syrian city of Hassakeh, on February 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
The commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Mazloum Abdi, announced a preliminary agreement with the Syrian government to integrate SDF fighters into the national army structure, according to the Associated Press (AP).
"We have formed a committee that will work with the Minister of Defense and other military officials to determine the appropriate mechanisms for integrating our forces into the army," Abdi stated.
He emphasized that based on the "experience and long service" of the SDF, its members will hold "a respected position within the army," noting there is "some flexibility in the Turkish position regarding the inclusion of the Syrian Democratic Forces in the army."
In addition to the military integration, Abdi confirmed that the police forces operating in northeastern Syria will also be merged into Syria’s national security services, indicating a broader unification of local security structures under Damascus's authority.
SDF to integrate into Damascus ministries
Sanharib Barsoum, a member of the negotiating committee representing the autonomous administration in northeastern Syria, provided further details. He said the SDF will be reorganized into three military divisions within the interim government’s military and security forces in Damascus.
Barsoum added that the SDF’s elite counter-terrorism units would be integrated into the central government's counter-terrorism apparatus and would have the mandate to operate across all Syrian territory, according to AP.
Despite the integration, Barsoum clarified that no Syrian government troops will be deployed into the northern and eastern regions currently under SDF control. He added that the SDF’s presence will remain in these areas, operating under the unified structure agreed upon with Damascus.
The announcement marks a significant shift in the relationship between the SDF and the Syrian government, as both sides navigate shared security interests and ongoing regional pressures.
If successful, the integration of the SDF represents a major step toward unifying Syria’s military and security apparatus while recognizing the autonomy of northeastern regions. However, challenges remain regarding decentralization, Kurdish demands, and coordination with regional actors such as Turkey, who still back a major militant force, the Syrian National Army.
