Syrian Democratic Forces

Syrian President Sharaa hosts Kurdish SDF leaders to talk integration

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa meets with Kurdish leaders to advance talks on the integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces into the national military.

SDF leader Mazloum Abdi (L) and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) signing a deal to end the war between their two groups, March 2025.
Sipan Hemo, the new deputy to the Syrian defense minister. August 14, 2025.

Syria appoints key Kurdish commander Sipan Hemo as deputy defense minister

Fighters from the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK), an Iranian Kurdish opposition group, are pictured near the border with Iran in Iraq's Kurdistan Region, in the outskirts of Sulaimaniya, Iraq, June 21, 2025.

Kurdish militias face high-stakes gamble in potential US alliance against Tehran - interview

Members of the military police stand near a bus carrying released detainees during a prisoner exchange between the Syrian government and Druze factions, in Sweida, Syria, February 26, 2026.

US efforts helped pave way for Syria-Druze deal, source tells 'Post'


Syrian soldier killed in clashes with SDF in Aleppo, state news agency says

In March, the SDF agreed with Syria's Islamist-led government to join state institutions as part of efforts to reunite a country fractured by 14 years of civil war.

Fighters of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) put an SDF flag in al-Omar oil field in Deir Al Zor, Syria March 23, 2019

Syria will not take part in meetings with Kurdish-led SDF in Paris, state TV says

This comes after Syria has struggled to integrate the US-backed group into its military.

 Syrian Kurds make the peace sign as they gather after Turkey's jailed militant leader Abdullah Ocalan called on his Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) to lay down its arms in Hasakah, Syria February 27, 2025.

Turkish foreign minister in Damascus for talks with Syria's Sharaa, source says

NATO member Turkey has emerged as one of Syria's main foreign allies after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad last year.

 Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa looks on as he attends the “Aleppo, Key to Victory” celebration marking Syria’s liberation, in Aleppo, Syria May 27, 2025.

Kurdish-led SDF not complying with Syria integration deal, Turkish source says

Turkey views the US-backed SDF as a terrorist organization and has repeatedly said it expects the group to abide by the deal to disarm and integrate into the Syrian state apparatus.

SYRIAN DEMOCRATIC Forces celebrate the first anniversary of Raqqa province’s liberation from ISIS, in Raqqa, Syria, in October 2018.

Can federalism save Syria from collapse? – opinion

As militias tighten their grip and minority communities demand autonomy, federalism emerges not as a theory but as Syria’s last realistic chance to survive.

 The leader of the Syrian Democratic Forces signed a deal on March 11 with Syria’s new president Ahmed al-Sharaa

Syria's defense ministry and Kurdish-led SDF trade blame over attack in northern Syria

The defense ministry accused the SDF of carrying out a rocket barrage on one of the army's outposts in the city's countryside, injuring four troops and three civilians.

Internal Security Forces officers escort a Druze prisoner and prevent him from being attacked by Bedouins, at an Internal Security Forces checkpoint working to prevent Bedouin fighters from advancing towards Sweida, following renewed fighting between Bedouin and Druze, Sweida, Syria, July 19, 2025.

SDF leader meets French foreign minister as Paris prepares Syria negotiations - analysis

French foreign minister reaches out to Syrian Democratic Forces as Paris also juggles discussions with Turkey and Israel regarding key issues in Syria.

SDF commander Mazloum Abdi, attends an interview with Reuters in al-Shadadi, Syria June 13, 2025.

ISIS likely culprit behind attack on US-backed SDF in east Syria - analysis

This matters because if ISIS is on the rise in parts of Syria, then it will require coordination between Damascus and the SDF. The SDF controls a third of Syria.

 SDF commander Mazloum Abdi, attends an interview with Reuters in Shaddadi, Syria, June 13, 2025.

US Syria envoy puts pressure on US-backed Kurdish forces - analysis

US policy is to have one Syria and one army there and not support federalism.

 Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa meets with U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria Tom Barrack in Istanbul, Turkey, May 24, 2025.

Syria faces major challenges in efforts to integrate US-backed SDF into military - analysis

The US under Trump aims for a stable, unified Syria, with Barrack tasked to achieve this, including bringing the SDF into Damascus.

 A person holds flags as people celebrate after the Kurdish-led and US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which controls much of Syria's oil-rich northeast, has signed a deal agreeing to integrate into Syria's new state institutions, the Syrian presidency said on Monday, in Damascus, Syria Mar