The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have declared their refusal to surrender weapons or dissolve their ranks, but they are open to negotiating their integration into Syria’s future military structure. In an interview with Al Arabiya on Saturday, SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi emphasized that any unilateral approach could “lead to major problems.”
“We haven’t decided to give up our arms or disband,” Abdi stated, highlighting the SDF’s willingness to discuss forming “a single national army.” He proposed the creation of a joint military committee to address the integration process and expressed opposition to the existence of “two separate armies in Syria.”
Abdi noted that SDF representatives were excluded from recent discussions led by Syria’s de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, concerning the integration of various factions into Syria’s new defense ministry. “The outcome of those meetings does not concern us because we were not part of them,” he remarked, adding that the SDF’s relationship with al-Sharaa “depends on actions, not words.”
Addressing rumors about Iranian support, Abdi refuted claims that Iran has supplied the SDF with weaponry, including drones. He underscored the importance of U.S. forces as mediators in the region. “We value the presence of American troops in Syria to help narrow differences in viewpoints,” he said.
The SDF, bolstered by U.S. backing and predominantly composed of Kurdish units, controls significant territories in northern and eastern Syria. An SDF delegation met with al-Sharaa in Damascus on December 30, marking their first meeting since the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government on December 8, 2024.
Following a surprise advance by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham forces into Damascus in early December, Turkish-backed factions launched an offensive against Kurdish fighters in northern Syria, forcing the SDF to withdraw from certain areas.
Turkiye views the Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), which form the core of the SDF, as an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
No immediate comment was available from the new Syrian administration regarding Abdi’s statements, though officials have previously expressed a desire to incorporate all factions into a unified national force.
Reference(s):
Kurdish-led militia rejects disarmament, calls for integration
cgtn.com
