Aleppo clashes expose hurdles in SDF's integration into Syrian army

"Analysts told Al Jazeera that the SDF, led by military leader Mazloum Abdi (also known as Mazloum Kobani) and the Syrian government, have seemingly reached an impasse on how to integrate the Kurdish fighters into the new state military structure and that a failure to find a serious deal could lead to renewed bouts of fighting or military confrontation between the two sides."

"On March 10, the new Syrian government in Damascus, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, and the SDF signed a historic agreement that planned to integrate the latter group into Syria's new armed forces by the end of 2025. The SDF is largely made up of members of the People's Defense Units (YPG), the military wing of the Syrian branch of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The PKK is labelled a terrorist organisation by the United States, the European Union and Turkiye."

An end-of-year deadline to fold the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces into the national armed forces has escalated tensions and contributed to clashes in Aleppo. Fighting erupted during a visit by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and stopped the same evening after both sides agreed to halt firing. The SDF, led by Mazloum Abdi, and the Syrian government have reached an impasse over how to integrate Kurdish fighters into the state military, risking renewed confrontation if no serious deal is reached. Red lines between the Kurdish self-administration and Turkiye/Damascus present stark incompatibilities. A March 10 agreement aimed to integrate the SDF by the end of 2025, but progress has remained limited.

Read at www.aljazeera.com