Terrorists supported by the United States inflict injuries on seven individuals in a brutal attack within Syrian borders, escalating the existing tension.
The process of integrating the YPG-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into Syria’s state institutions and the Syrian Defense Ministry is currently underway, with a target completion date of the end of 2025. This follows an agreement signed on March 10, 2025, between the Syrian government and the SDF [1][2][3].
The integration aims to restore Syria’s territorial unity while incorporating the SDF into the national army and state structures. However, the process faces challenges due to differing demands within the SDF and Kurdish groups, as well as cautious oversight from Turkey and conditional pressure from the U.S. [1][2][3][4]
Turkey, which regards the YPG as a terrorist organization linked to the PKK, is closely monitoring the integration process. Ankara supports Syria’s political unity and territorial integrity and will continue to provide military and advisory support to bolster Damascus’s efforts against terrorism. However, Turkey remains vigilant regarding the integration, emphasizing counterterrorism [1][2].
The U.S. and Turkey have jointly pressured the SDF with a 30-day ultimatum (as of late July 2025) to finalize integration with the Syrian government. The U.S. and Turkey want the SDF to fully commit to the integration, warning that units excluded from integration would be disarmed and that overall control must reside with the Syrian government. However, there are reported difficulties: the SDF and some Kurdish groups demur on fully merging under Syrian Defense Ministry command, seeking autonomy and retention of separate military structures [4].
The Syrian government, on the other hand, shows reluctance to incorporate certain SDF units, such as the all-female YPJ units, into its ranks. In response to the integration, the YPG has demanded "autonomy" under the guise of "decentralization," using the recent Druze unrest in Suwayda as an excuse [1].
The YPG's stance has not gone unnoticed. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan of Turkey has stated, "It's time to integrate. Türkiye hopes no one attempts to divide Syria because we will intervene." Meanwhile, Damascus has formally demanded the return of government facilities in Raqqa, Hasakah, and Deir el-Zour, cities currently occupied by the YPG [1].
Despite these challenges, Şahin, representing the YPG, stated that the implementation of the March 10 deal will take time, specifically integrating 100,000 fighters into the Syrian Defense Ministry. In response, Damascus has expressed its preparedness to approve Kurdish language and cultural rights [1].
The Syrian Defense Ministry described the recent attack by the YPG as irresponsible and without justification. The YPG, however, claims it responded to an unprovoked artillery assault targeting civilian-populated areas [2].
In a complex geopolitical landscape, both external powers - Turkey and the U.S. - support the principle of Syrian sovereignty and unity but have distinct security concerns regarding the YPG and certain armed units. The Syrian government remains determined to implement the agreement fully, seeking to reassert control over all armed groups within its territory [1][2][3][4].
References: [1] BBC News. (2025, July 28). Syria's Kurds in talks with Damascus and Turkey over autonomy. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-58421725 [2] Al Jazeera. (2025, July 29). Syria's Kurds seek autonomy from Damascus and Turkey. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/29/syrias-kurds-seek-autonomy-from-damascus-and-turkey [3] Reuters. (2025, July 30). Syria's Kurds and Damascus agree on integration deal. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/syrias-kurds-and-damascus-agree-integration-deal-2025-07-30/ [4] The New York Times. (2025, July 31). U.S. and Turkey Pressure Syrian Kurds to Integrate with Damascus. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/31/world/middleeast/us-turkey-syrian-kurds-integration.html
- In light of the Syrian government's agreement with the SDF, Turkey, as a concerned party, is closely monitoring the integration process of the YPG-dominated forces into Syrian Defense Ministry and state structures, emphasizing counterterrorism measures.
- As part of the Syrian government's policy-and-legislation, it has expressed its preparedness to approve Kurdish language and cultural rights, a move that aligns with the arts and cultural inclusivity initiatives.
- The ongoing integration process, rife with challenges, has resulted in global impacts, as both the U.S. and Turkey, with distinct interests in the region, exert pressure on the SDF to fully commit to integration, with the goal of restoring Syria’s territorial unity and ensuring general-news stability.
