The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Merger with Syrian Army: Implications for Kurdish Autonomy in Rojava
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a diverse group comprising Kurds, Arabs, and other ethnicities, has been a key player in the fight against the Islamic State in Syria. However, recent setbacks have led to the SDF merging with the Syrian army. The SDF's defeat in Hassakeh province signals a potential end to Kurdish aspirations for an autonomous region in northeast Syria known as Rojava. The group, once in control of a significant portion of Syria, faced challenges due to its Kurdish leadership and opposition from various factions.
The SDF, established in 2015 with U.S. support, included fighters from different ethnic backgrounds, with the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) playing a prominent role. This dominance of Kurdish forces raised concerns among Sunni Arab factions and their allies, leading to internal conflicts. Many Syrian rebel groups viewed the SDF as a secessionist entity seeking to break away from Syria, while Turkey saw the YPG as linked to the Kurdish PKK insurgency.
Following the fall of President Bashar Assad in 2024, relations between the SDF and the new Syrian leadership remained strained. However, a surprising agreement was reached in March between SDF leader Mazloum Abdi and interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, outlining the merger of the SDF into the Syrian army by the end of 2025. Despite ongoing disagreements, the SDF agreed in principle to integrate its fighters into the national army.
Recent clashes between government forces and the SDF in Aleppo and other areas escalated into a full-scale offensive, resulting in the government gaining control of key territories. A ceasefire was declared, with the SDF now primarily holding Hassakeh province. The agreement stipulates that SDF fighters will join the national army as individuals, rather than a unified force, and Kurdish commanders will assume high-ranking positions within the military and government.
To address Kurdish grievances, al-Sharaa declared Kurdish an official language in Syria and recognized the Kurdish new year as a national holiday. The ceasefire aims to consolidate government control over prisons and camps where Islamic State members are detained. The SDF's future remains uncertain, with the group likely to dissolve as al-Sharaa consolidates power in Syria. The government's commitment to the fight against IS, as part of the U.S.-led coalition, is emphasized in the agreement.