Syria’s newly appointed Defense Minister, Murhaf Abu Qasra, firmly rejected a proposal from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to maintain their own military bloc within the Syrian Armed Forces. The SDF, which has controlled a semi-autonomous region in northeastern Syria for over a decade, had requested to remain a distinct military bloc, even if integrated into the broader Syrian defense structure.
Speaking to Reuters in Damascus on Sunday, Abu Qasra emphasized that while he was open to integrating the Kurdish fighters into the Syrian Defense Ministry, they would need to fit within its existing hierarchy rather than operate as an independent military group. “They can join the Ministry and be distributed in a military fashion, but for them to remain as a separate military bloc within the Defense Ministry is not acceptable,” he stated.
The SDF has long been a crucial ally for the United States in the fight against ISIS, but it remains a contentious subject for neighboring Turkey, which views the SDF as a security threat. Despite this, Abu Qasra expressed his commitment to ensuring the integration of the SDF, as well as other former rebel factions, into a unified command structure under the Syrian state.
The Kurdish force has been in talks with Syria’s new administration, which emerged after the overthrow of dictator Bashar al-Assad in December 2023. The SDF’s commander, Mazloum Abdi, had previously indicated the group’s willingness to negotiate terms, stressing the demand for a decentralized administration, which would allow the Kurdish-led forces some degree of autonomy.
Abu Qasra has been tasked with overseeing the integration process, but he criticized the SDF for delays, accusing its leadership of “procrastination.” He further reiterated that integrating the SDF into the Defense Ministry was a fundamental right of the Syrian state. The transitional government has a tight deadline, with plans to complete military reforms by March 1, the anticipated end of its term.
The new Syrian administration has also faced controversy over its decision to grant military ranks to foreign fighters, including Egyptians and Jordanians, as part of the restructuring. While this move has sparked significant criticism, Abu Qasra defended it as necessary for the security of the state, acknowledging the political sensitivities but stressing that “security issues” required swift action.
Source : https://www.timesofisrael.com/syrian-defense-minister-rejects-kurdish-proposal-for-own-military-bloc/