Turkey Conditions Integration of "SDF" into Syrian Army to Open Crossings with Damascus

Turkey has reiterated its position calling for the integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the official institutions of the Syrian army, considering this a fundamental condition for opening all border crossings with Syria.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed during a parliamentary session today, Wednesday, to present the budget of the Foreign Ministry for the next year, that his country "seeks to open all border crossings with Syria but not before completing the implementation of the March 10 agreement." This statement was reported by the official TRT television.

The aforementioned agreement, signed by SDF leader Mazloum Abdi with Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara on March 10, stipulates the "integration of all civil and military institutions affiliated with the SDF in northeastern Syria into the official state institutions."

Fidan clarified that "the Kurdish forces controlling most of northeastern Syria must submit to the leadership of the central government" before proceeding with the step of opening the crossings. He also accused the Syrian Democratic Forces of "showing no willingness to implement this understanding with Damascus."

It is noteworthy that the official Turkish position views the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Kurdish People's Protection Units as "a branch of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, which is classified as terrorist." Meanwhile, the SDF continuously denies its affiliation with this party.

On the other hand, the political background of the issue indicates that since the signing of the March agreement, both the Syrian and Kurdish sides have exchanged accusations of obstructing its implementation, despite their ongoing confirmation that follow-up dialogues between them are still continuing.