The commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Mazloum Abdi, recently announced that the integration of Kurdish forces into the new Syrian national army is “imminent,” and that talks with the Damascus government are making progress, despite months of previous disagreements. This potential integration follows the agreement signed on March 10 between the SDF and the Syrian government, aiming to establish a framework for the incorporation of Kurdish forces into the Syrian army.

However, negotiations stalled over key issues, particularly the autonomy of Kurdish units within the armed forces and territorial control in resource-rich provinces such as Deir Ezzor, Raqqa, and Hasakeh.

The meeting between Mazloum Abdi and Syrian military leader Ahmad al-Shara in Damascus came after clashes in the predominantly Kurdish neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh in Aleppo, between local Kurdish security forces and government troops. Similar confrontations occurred elsewhere between the U.S.-backed SDF and the Syrian Army. The fighting, which began in early October, cast new doubts over the future of the Kurds in Syria — a group that played a pivotal role in the fight against ISIS for years.

Although a “comprehensive ceasefire” has now been reached and tensions have eased, the situation remains volatile. The truce has reopened access routes into the affected areas, but no sustainable agreement or final resolution has yet been reached for the Kurdish forces.

The Siege of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh

Tensions escalated on October 6 in Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods, under SDF control since 2015, when Syrian government forces imposed a siege. These Kurdish-majority areas, home to roughly 400,000 people, live under constant fear — not only from potential regime attacks but also from the ongoing threat of Turkish-backed militias.

The Syrian government, through its General Security Forces, accused the Kurdish units of firing first in the nearby town of Deir Hafer, sparking a rapid escalation. Damascus responded forcefully, deploying tanks, mortars, and troops to block all access to the neighborhoods.

“It was like being in an open-air prison,” said Muhamed, a local journalist who was in Aleppo at the time. The city was completely cut off, with communication lines severed, leaving civilians without electricity or medical care. Protests erupted in the neighborhoods to break the siege, but were violently repressed by Syrian forces using tear gas and live ammunition.

Gunfire soon followed, trapping residents in the middle of intense combat. After several hours, a Kurdish delegation traveled to Damascus to initiate a new round of negotiations, the first condition of which was establishing a ceasefire.

The SDF-Syrian Army Integration Deal

The renewed negotiations aimed to revive the March 10 agreement, which proposed the integration of the SDF into the Syrian Army. Although Abdi described the talks as “positive” and claimed integration is inevitable, the process has faced major hurdles.

The key sticking point is the SDF’s condition that its combat units maintain a degree of autonomy — a condition opposed by the Syrian government, which demands full unification under central command. Abdi emphasized that while the SDF is willing to integrate, this should not involve dismantling its internal structures or leadership. For Kurdish forces, losing territorial control and the autonomy gained during the war against ISIS and Turkish-backed militias remains a constant concern.

Furthermore, the original agreement was followed by a period of heightened tension, partly due to the fact that the SDF has no formal representation in Syria’s transitional government. Rather than dissolve, the SDF wants to enter as a cohesive bloc — raising questions about how they would interact with other Syrian army factions, especially those aligned with Turkish interests or Islamist militias.

The People’s Protection Units (YPG), the Syrian branch of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), are particularly insistent on preserving autonomy, in contrast with Abdi’s faction, which favors integration.

Women in the Ranks: A Challenge to Syria’s Patriarchal Military

One of the most notable aspects of the SDF is its strong female presence, particularly within the YPG. These women fighters became symbolic during the war against ISIS and are unwilling to back down.

In a Syrian army long known for its patriarchal and conservative hierarchy, it’s unclear how more extremist elements will react to integrating women into combat and leadership roles. Syrian military leaders, especially those tied to extremist factions, may view the presence of women as a threat to traditional values. This dynamic further complicates the integration, as female fighters are a core component of the Kurdish structure and play a decisive role in operations.

Turkey’s Influence and the Role of Foreign Powers

The integration issue is closely tied to Turkey’s stance. Since the start of the conflict, Turkey has considered the SDF — due to its PKK links — a national security threat. The presence of Kurdish forces in northeast Syria has been a constant source of tension between Damascus and Ankara. Turkey has already carried out multiple military incursions into Syrian territory and maintains several bases there.

Ankara has warned that it will take military action if the SDF fails to join the Syrian army by a December deadline. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly stated that the absence of full integration could justify intervention. This looming threat may push the SDF to harden its demands for autonomy rather than compromise.

Meanwhile, the United States plays a key, though limited, role in promoting negotiations. Despite being a major SDF ally in the fight against ISIS, Washington supports the idea of reintegrating the northeast into Damascus’s control — revealing the limits of U.S. backing for Kurdish ambitions.

A Fragile Path to Syria’s Reconstruction

Syria remains one of the world’s most complex conflict zones. In this post-war limbo, the prospects for a lasting political solution appear distant. The political and military tension in northeast Syria highlights broader challenges facing the country’s reconstruction.

While some Syrian factions — including the Kurds — have pushed for decentralization and autonomy, the central government under Ahmad al-Shara, backed by Arab tribes in the northeast, remains firmly opposed to relinquishing control over Kurdish autonomous regions. The future of over 12,000 ISIS prisoners and the guarantee of minority rights, such as those of the Kurds, remain unresolved, further complicating the implementation of any agreements.

Moreover, foreign powers — including the U.S., European states, Turkey, and Gulf countries — all with their own agendas, continue to shape the conflict. This foreign interference not only muddies the peace process but could prolong the war if a satisfactory agreement isn’t reached.

The situation in Syria remains precarious. The tensions between the SDF and the Damascus government, clashes in Aleppo, the looming threat of Turkish intervention, and the uncertain integration of Kurdish forces into the national army are all pivotal issues that will shape Syria’s future. Integrating the Kurds into the Syrian army could become a turning point in the country’s reconstruction — but numerous obstacles stand in the way of a lasting resolution. Each new crisis serves as a stark reminder of how quickly Syria could plunge back into full-scale war.