"SDF" confirms commitment to March agreement with Damascus.. Washington supports gradual integration in the Syrian army

General Commander of the "Syrian Democratic Forces" (SDF), Mazloum Abdi, affirmed that implementing the March 2025 agreement signed with the Syrian government will eliminate the need to disarm its forces, indicating that SDF's joining the Syrian army will make protecting the region the responsibility of the national army.

This came during a recorded interview with the German-Kurdish journalist Duzan Tekal, published on her Instagram account, where Abdi pointed out that the agreement stipulates unifying the military and civilian institutions in northeast Syria within the state structure, saying: "If the agreement is implemented, 'SDF' will become part of the Syrian army, and therefore there will be no need to disarm, as protecting northeast Syria will then be the responsibility of the national army".

Abdi also called for enhancing dialogue with Damascus, emphasizing the necessity of establishing a new political system based on a fair constitution and institutions that ensure the rights of all components, warning against exclusion policies that previously targeted the Kurds.

On her part, the SDF leader, Rojhat Afrin, during the same interview, stated that the continuation of security threats, including ISIS, makes abandoning weapons currently impossible, explaining: "No one desires to fight, but we will continue to defend ourselves if faced with any threat".

In a related context, the US Special Envoy to Syria, Thomas Barak, affirmed that Washington rejects any federal or separatist project, and supports Damascus in its efforts to unify institutions. He added: "We support the full integration of 'SDF' into state institutions, within a unified army, central sovereignty, and one flag".

Barak pointed out the agreement's delay due to the lack of implementation details, noting that the United States is working on a new draft to ensure a clear mechanism for gradual integration, considering that "there is only one way forward for 'SDF', which leads to Damascus". He also praised the enthusiasm of the Syrian government to implement the principle of "one state, one nation, one army, one government".

In response, the Syrian government issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to Syria's unity, indicating that the army is the "unifying national institution", and welcoming the legal joining of 'SDF' fighters. The statement warned that "any delay in implementing the agreement hinders stability", supporting the return of state institutions to the northeast and ending the "administrative vacuum".

It is worth mentioning that the March 2025 agreement, sponsored by the US, stipulates the integration of 'SDF' civilian and military institutions within state structures, and regaining control over crossings and resources, while ensuring the constitutional rights of the Kurdish component.