Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: Several soldiers were killed in the Beit Hanoun ambush
Israeli media: 16 soldiers were injured, including four in critical condition, as a result of a security incident in the northern Gaza Strip
Israeli media: At least 10 soldiers injured in two serious incidents in the Gaza Strip
Brigadier General Shakarchi to Al Mayadeen: Hezbollah is an independent force defending its country, just like all resistance movements in the region
Brigadier General Shakarchi to Al Mayadeen: All Iranians set aside their differences and united to confront the aggression
Brigadier General Shakarchi to Al Mayadeen: Words like surrender or retreat do not exist in our books or dictionaries, and any aggression will be met with unforgettable blows
Brigadier General Shakarchi to Al Mayadeen: Many Western countries rushed to send weapons to the [Israeli] entity after the end of its aggression against Iran
Brigadier General Shakarchi to Al Mayadeen: In the event of any mistake or act of aggression, we will cross all red lines
Brigadier General Shakarchi to Al Mayadeen: The Israeli army and US forces deployed across West Asia are within the range of our armed forces' firepower
Brigadier General Shakarchi to Al Mayadeen: The United States is primarily responsible for the war on Iran, and we warn it, its proxy, and all those who support them against launching any new aggression

Syrian MoD rejects Kurdish proposal for its own military bloc

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 19 Jan 2025 15:06
2 Min Read

Syria's new defense minister says the US-backed Kurdish fighters should not retain a separate bloc within the unified Syrian armed forces.

Listen
  • x
  • Syrian MoD rejects Kurdish proposal for its own military bloc
    Syria's newly appointed defense minister, Murhaf Abu Qasra, undated. (Social Media/X)

Syria's newly appointed defense minister stated on Sunday that it would not be appropriate for US-backed Kurdish fighters in the country's northeast to maintain their separate bloc within the unified Syrian armed forces.

In an interview with Reuters at the Defense Ministry in Damascus, Murhaf Abu Qasra accused the leadership of the Kurdish fighters, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), of procrastinating in addressing the complex issue.

The SDF, which has created a semi-autonomous zone over 14 years of civil war, has been negotiating with the new administration in Damascus, led by the armed groups that overthrew President Bashar al-Assad on December 8.

SDF commander Mazloum Abdi stated that one of their key demands is a decentralized administration. In an interview with Saudi Arabia's Asharq News channel last week, he emphasized that the SDF is open to integrating with the Defense Ministry, but as "a military bloc" and without disbanding.

Related News

US revokes foreign terrorist designation for Syria's HTS

World Bank projects modest economic growth for Syria in 2025

Abu Qasra rejected that proposal on Sunday.

"We say that they would enter the Defense Ministry within the hierarchy of the Defense Ministry, and be distributed in a military way - we have no issue there," he said. 

"But for them to remain a military bloc within the Defense Ministry, such a bloc within a big institution is not right."

Since taking office, one of the minister's main priorities has been integrating Syria's diverse anti-Assad factions into a unified command structure. However, this has proven difficult with the SDF. While the US sees the group as a vital ally in the fight against Islamic State militants, neighboring Turkiye views it as a national security threat.

He expressed hope to complete the integration process, including appointing senior military figures, by March 1, when the transitional government's mandate is set to expire.

  • Syria
  • Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Murhaf Abu Qasra
  • Damascus
  • SDF
  • Syrian Ministry of Defense

Most Read

Syria demands 1/3 of Golan, Lebanese areas for 'Israel' peace deal

Syria demands 1/3 of Golan, Lebanese areas for 'Israel' normalization

  • MENA
  • 4 Jul 2025
Al-Qassam hits IOF groupings in Khan Younis; ‘tough incident’ reported

3 Israeli soldiers killed by Resistance gunfire in south, north Gaza

  • Palestine
  • 4 Jul 2025
Concrete and rubble fall from a heavily damaged building as Israeli soldiers search for survivors in a residential area hit by a missile fired from Iran, near Tel Aviv, occupied Palestine, Sunday, June 15, 2025 (AP)

'Israel' concealed damage inflicted by Iran in war, report finds

  • Politics
  • 5 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • Today

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Big beautiful bill's ugly reality for American healthcare
US & Canada

'Big beautiful bill's' ugly reality for American healthcare

Ukrainian Forces struggle to hold Eastern front lines: NYT
Europe

Ukrainian forces struggle to hold eastern frontlines: NYT

Plan proposes transit camps for Gazans ahead of possible relocation
US & Canada

GHF proposed 'transit areas' plan prior to Gaza residents 'relocation'

Lavrov: IAEA will be held accountable for pre-strike Iran assessments
Europe

IAEA to be held accountable for pre-strike Iran assessments: Lavrov

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS