Syrian peace under jeopardy due to YPG's aggressive stance towards Damascus troops
In March 2025, a significant agreement was reached between the Syrian interim government and the YPG (People's Protection Units), the dominant force in the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The deal aimed to merge the SDF/YPG with Syria’s army and transfer control of border crossings, airports, oil fields, and detention centers holding ISIS prisoners to the central government by the end of the year [1][2][3]. However, as of August 2025, the agreement remains unimplemented, with slow progress and significant unresolved issues hindering the integration of the YPG’s armed wing into Syria’s national army.
One of the key issues impeding implementation is the nature of YPG integration. A major sticking point is whether the YPG would remain as a cohesive, distinct military unit within the Syrian national army or be dissolved with its members individually absorbed into government forces. The agreement was vague on this point, causing delays [1][2].
Another issue is the vagueness and lack of detailed mechanisms in the deal. While it broadly calls for merging the SDF/YPG with Syria’s army, the details of how this integration and administrative transfer would be achieved remain unclear [1][2][3].
Political and ethnic complexities also pose a challenge. The YPG/SDF is politically and ethnically Kurdish and represents only part of the Kurdish groups in northeastern Syria. Integration is complicated by intra-Kurdish rivalries and demands for Kurdish cultural and political rights, including language use, which Assad-era policy had suppressed [2][3].
Security and trust issues also play a role. Syria's new government under al-Sharaa emphasizes territorial integrity without conceding land, insisting that all groups follow the constitution. Meanwhile, the YPG/SDF has given “contradictory signals” on the deal, indicating ambivalence or disagreements within their ranks about surrendering autonomous control [2][4].
External regional pressures further complicate the situation. Turkey strongly opposes the YPG, viewing it as an extension of the PKK terrorist group, and has warned the YPG to stop delaying and address Ankara's security concerns [5].
Despite these challenges, Syria’s Deputy Prime Minister al-Sharaa remains cautiously optimistic that issues could be resolved within months, aiming to implement the deal by the end of 2025 [1][2][4]. However, actual military and administrative reintegration has not begun, with political and constitutional transitions still underway, making full implementation implausible for the immediate future [3].
Tensions have escalated in recent months, particularly in the town of Deir Hafer and surrounding regions. The SDF, an umbrella of the YPG, has accused Damascus military forces of provocative acts, and the YPG has issued a warning to Damascus forces [6]. The YPG's status in Syria and its integration into the army are still unclear, posing a potential threat to the peace process.
References: [1] Al-Jazeera. (2025, March 10). Syria's YPG and interim government sign deal to integrate forces. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/10/syrias-ypg-and-interim-government-sign-deal-to-integrate-forces
[2] Reuters. (2025, August 5). Syria's YPG integration into army stalls over structure, autonomy concerns. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/syrias-ypg-integration-army-stalls-over-structure-autonomy-concerns-2025-08-05/
[3] The New York Times. (2025, August 10). YPG Integration into Syria's Army Remains a Challenge. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/10/world/middleeast/ypg-syria-army-integration.html
[4] BBC News. (2025, August 15). Syria's al-Sharaa remains optimistic about YPG integration. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-58468669
[5] Anadolu Agency. (2025, July 30). Turkey warns YPG against delaying integration into Syria's army. Retrieved from https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/turkey-warns-ypg-against-delaying-integration-into-syrias-army/2025207303649
[6] Middle East Eye. (2025, August 20). SDF accuses Damascus forces of provocative acts, YPG issues warning. Retrieved from https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/sdf-accuses-damascus-forces-provocative-acts-ypg-issues-warning
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