A soldier of the Syrian Democratic Forces stands resolute, the flag of their struggle snapping in the wind behind them. They are a force besieged, caught between the ambitions of a resurgent Damascus government, the relentless pressure of Turkish-backed forces, and the ever-present threat of a resurgent ISIS.
The SDF recently released a damning report detailing a six-month period of escalating attacks. Turkey, they allege, unleashed a barrage of destruction across Rojava – the Kurdish-led autonomous region in northeast Syria – employing drones, warplanes, and heavy artillery with devastating effect.
These weren’t simply military targets. The report paints a chilling picture of civilian infrastructure systematically targeted: power stations crippled, oil and gas facilities damaged, water supplies disrupted, and agricultural lands scorched during the vital harvest season. Wheat and barley fields burned, olive groves destroyed, and even rivers polluted.
Over 300 attacks were documented, resulting in civilian deaths – including a child and two women – and dozens more injured. First responders and journalists were reportedly targeted in deliberate “double-tap” strikes, compounding the tragedy. Even humanitarian aid was not spared, with attacks on Red Crescent vehicles and medical facilities.
The consequences extend beyond immediate casualties. Prolonged power and water outages have crippled daily life, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation. The SDF argues these actions are not just violations of international law, but a direct threat to regional stability.
Simultaneously, a new Syrian interim government, led by a figure with a troubling past linked to extremist groups, is demanding the complete disarmament of the SDF and their absorption into the national army. Damascus frames a recent agreement as a precursor to this merger, but the SDF sees it very differently.
SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi insists the March agreement was intended as a partnership to *build* a new Syrian army *together*, not a surrender. They envision a central role for their forces, not simply dissolving into the existing structure. This clashes directly with the demands from both Damascus and Turkey for complete dismantlement.
At the heart of the conflict lies the issue of governance. The SDF seeks administrative decentralization and democratic local control, a safeguard for Syria’s unity. Damascus, however, remains firmly committed to a centralized government, viewing any move towards federalism as a dangerous challenge to its authority.
Commander Abdi bluntly states that the mindset of the Assad regime remains unchanged – a desire to rule Syria through a single, dominant group. The SDF accuses Damascus of insincere intentions, while Damascus and Turkey accuse the SDF of stalling for time. Military buildups continue on all sides, a tense standoff poised to erupt.
The SDF controls vital strategic assets: ISIS detention facilities, oil-rich territories, border crossings, and airports. Relinquishing this control is a non-starter. Crucially, they are determined to preserve the independent structure of the Women’s Protection Units, a cornerstone of their identity.
Turkey’s position is uncompromising. They demand not just integration, but the complete dismantling of the SDF, refusing to accept any scenario where a Kurdish military force retains operational autonomy. This fundamental disagreement creates an insurmountable obstacle to any easy resolution.
The SDF insists that any military merger must be preceded by meaningful political and institutional reforms, establishing a clear framework for future governance based on democratic principles. Damascus has offered no engagement on these critical preconditions.
Even seemingly technical issues, like the handover of the Tishreen Dam, remain unresolved, stalled by security concerns and a lack of trust. Negotiations, once scheduled for Paris, have been abruptly cancelled. Observers are increasingly pessimistic about the prospects for a breakthrough.
The suggestion that Turkey could act as a mediator is, to the SDF, deeply ironic. They point to Turkey’s active role in the conflict against them and the civilians they protect. A neutral arbiter, they argue, Turkey is not.
A resolution seems impossible without concrete guarantees. Damascus must commit to halting Turkish attacks on Rojava, and the new government must demonstrate a genuine commitment to protecting the rights of Kurds, women, Christians, and other minorities. Only then, and with credible assurances of autonomy, can a path forward be forged.
The Kurds remember the recent massacre of Alawites, where over 1,000 civilians perished. They believe their continued ability to defend themselves – to retain their weapons – is the only thing preventing a similar tragedy from unfolding in Rojava. Surrender, they fear, is not an option.
