Syrian Democratic Forces face 30-day ultimatum from US, Türkiye

The United States and Türkiye have given the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) a 30-day deadline to finish integrating with the Syrian government, sources familiar with the matter told Middle East Eye, Report informs.

SDF leader Mazloum Abdi signed an agreement in March with Syrian interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa, outlining the full merger of the SDF and its agencies into the Damascus government.

However, progress has stalled as the SDF and other Kurdish groups have demanded autonomy and resisted merging under the Syrian defense ministry, insisting on retaining a separate military command and organizational structure within the Syrian army.

American and Turkish patience is wearing thin, sources said. During a meeting in Syria last week, US and Turkish officials gave the SDF a 30-day ultimatum to join the Damascus government.

“The SDF was told that not all of its armed units would be integrated into the Syrian army. Units excluded from integration would be disarmed, and overall control would remain with the Syrian government,” one source said.

The Damascus government reportedly shows little interest in incorporating the SDF’s all-women units, known as the YPJ - an offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) - into its ranks.