Syrian government and Kurds clash over military merger negotiations
- In March 2025, a significant agreement was signed between the Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces regarding military merger.
- Despite the agreement, U.S. envoy Tom Barrack reported that discussions in July 2025 showed ongoing differences between the two parties.
- The lack of clarity on merging structures continues to pose challenges to the implementation of the deal.
In early March 2025, significant developments occurred in Syria as the central government signed a landmark agreement with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Under this strategic deal, the SDF was set to merge with the new national army, which is intended to centralize military power under the government. The agreement also proposed that all vital border crossings with Iraq and Turkey, airports, and oil fields located in the northeast be transferred to the control of the central government. Additionally, detention centers housing numerous individuals suspected of belonging to the Islamic State group would come under government influence. Despite these assurances, the implementation of the agreement has faced significant hurdles. As of early July 2025, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack indicated that after recent discussions in Damascus, major disagreements remain between Syria's central government and the Kurds regarding how the consolidation of military forces will proceed. The ambiguity surrounding the details of the agreement has fueled uncertainty and tension between the two factions. One of the critical points of contention involves whether the SDF would continue as a united entity within the new military structure. The Kurdish leadership has advocated for the SDF to retain its cohesiveness in the proposed national army, while the Syrian government has expressed interest in dissolving the SDF and incorporating its members individually into the national army. This divergence reflects deeper political, military, and ethnic complexities inherent in Syria’s ongoing struggle for stability. Additionally, the slow progress of implementing the merger is likely tied to broader regional dynamics involving international stakeholders such as the U.S. The U.S. has played a crucial role in backing the SDF, which could complicate matters considering the existing geopolitical climate. The continuing discord highlights the challenges that lie ahead in achieving a united front within Syria's military landscape and raises questions about the future roles of both the Syrian government and Kurdish forces in establishing peace and stability in the region.