Kurdish Exclusion Looms in Syria’s Post-War Talks: NYT
The demand for disarmament has put the Kurdish-led SDF in a precarious position as Syria's new leaders set disarmament as a precondition for inclusion in national dialogue.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – A political standoff is intensifying in Syria as the country’s new interim government demands that the U.S.-backed Kurdish-led militia, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), disarm and integrate into a unified national military force.
The dispute, which raises concerns about security and governance in Syria’s northeast, threatens to exclude Kurdish leaders from a broader national dialogue aimed at shaping the country’s post-war administration, according to a report by The New York Times.
The tensions come as Syria’s new leadership seeks to consolidate power following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024.
The government, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa and his interim cabinet, insists that armed groups must surrender their weapons before they can participate in discussions regarding Syria’s political future.
The New York Times report highlighted that Hassan al-Daghim, the head of the government-appointed committee tasked with organizing the upcoming national dialogue, emphasized that no armed groups would be included in the political process unless they agree to integrate under the Ministry of Defense.
“This is a fundamental issue,” he told the New York Times.
A Crucial Crossroad for Kurdish Leadership
The demand for disarmament has put the Kurdish-led SDF in a precarious position.
Since the Assad government’s collapse, the SDF has maintained de facto control over northeast Syria, operating within an autonomous administration.
However, with Syria’s new leaders pressing to reassert national sovereignty, the militia faces the possibility of being sidelined from the country’s political future if it refuses to lay down its arms.
The New York Times wrote that the Kurdish forces, which played a central role in the U.S.-led campaign against ISIS, have long sought political recognition within Syria.
The report also suggested that despite being a key ally of Washington, SDF now finds itself under increasing pressure to negotiate its status with Damascus.
At a recent conference in Paris focused on global support for state-building in Syria, French President Emmanuel Macron urged the interim government to include Kurdish representatives in the national dialogue.
Calling them “precious allies,” Macron stressed that integrating the Kurdish-led forces into Syria’s new political structure was critical to long-term stability.
Read More: Macron: The World Owes a Debt to the Kurdish Forces
President Barzani’s Role in Kurdish Mediation
Amid these tensions, President Masoud Barzani has played an active role in mediating disputes among Syria’s Kurdish factions, advocating for unity and political dialogue.
According to Forbes, President Barzani’s meeting with SDF commander Mazloum Abdi was a significant development where President Barzani urged Mazloum Abdi to seek negotiations with Damascus while maintaining political independence and resisting external influences.
“I advised him [Mazloum Abdi] to unify Kurdish discourse, stay hopeful, and not allow external influences to dictate Kurdish demands,” President Barzani said during an interview with Shams TV.
President Barzani repeatedly emphasized that Syrian Kurds must first unite among themselves before presenting a collective vision to Damascus.
“Kurds in Syria must first unite internally and then present their demands collectively to Damascus,” he stated.
Read More: President Barzani Speaks on Syrian Kurds, Regional Challenges, Path to Unity
He also underscored the importance of limiting the presence of foreign Kurdish fighters, particularly those affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), as their presence provides a pretext for Turkish intervention.
Forbes wrote, “[President] Barzani expressed his view that it was time for the PKK to leave ‘Syrian Kurds alone to decide their future’ since its presence provides ‘an excuse for Turkish intervention’”.
Read More: President Barzani’s Strategic Leadership Unites Kurdish Positions: Forbes
Turkey’s Influence and the Ongoing Conflict
Complicating the situation is Turkey’s longstanding opposition to the SDF, which it views as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group Ankara designates as a terrorist organization.
Turkey has supported Syrian rebel factions that helped topple Assad, and it remains deeply involved in efforts to curtail Kurdish autonomy in northern Syria.
Since December, Turkish-backed forces have clashed repeatedly with the SDF in contested areas such as Manbij, a strategic city near the Turkish border.
Read More: Syrian opposition forces capture Manbij center, advance into Deir ez-Zor province
Turkish-backed forces seized Manbij from Kurdish-led control, intensifying tensions between Ankara and Kurdish leadership.
With the interim government struggling to consolidate its authority nationwide, the ongoing conflict in the northeast has emerged as a significant challenge to its efforts to stabilize Syria.
The Future of U.S. Support and Security Concerns
Amid these developments, uncertainty looms over the future of U.S. military and financial support for the SDF.
The New York Times explained that the Biden administration had maintained aid for the group as part of broader counterterrorism efforts, but with Donald Trump’s recent return to the White House, no clear commitments have been made regarding continued support.
Earlier this year, a U.S. aid freeze briefly halted funding to a detention camp housing thousands of former ISIS fighters and their families, exposing vulnerabilities in the region’s security infrastructure.
Read More: Trump’s Aid Freeze Worsens Humanitarian Crisis at Syria’s Al-Hol Camp
Kurdish officials have warned that without sustained support, the resurgence of ISIS remains a serious threat.
Read More: US Aid Cuts Threaten Security, Humanitarian Stability in Northeast Syria: The Guardian
In recent weeks, the SDF has reportedly sought assurances that, if it agrees to disarm, its fighters will be integrated into the Syrian army as a distinct military bloc.
Kurdish leaders have also pushed for guarantees that Kurdish will be recognized as an official language in Syria’s northeast and that Kurdish-led governance structures in the region will be maintained.
A Fragile Political Transition
As Syria prepares for a national dialogue, the question of Kurdish inclusion remains one of the most contentious issues.
The interim government’s insistence on disarmament as a precondition for participation has raised concerns that the SDF could be excluded altogether, potentially fueling further instability.
President Macron’s plea for Kurdish integration underscores the high stakes.
“Syria must continue to fight against all terrorist organizations that threaten stability,” he said at the Paris conference. “But cooperation with the Kurdish-led forces will be critical in ensuring long-term security.”
More importantly, President Barzani reinforced this message, advocating for Kurdish unity and federalism as a viable solution for Syria’s governance.
“Federalism should be an alternative to suppression and persecution, ensuring rights for all components of society,” President Barzani noted.
He further highlighted that uniting the Kurdish factions would strengthen their negotiating position and prevent external actors from exploiting divisions.
For now, Syria’s new leadership is moving forward with its plans, with or without Kurdish participation. The outcome of this political impasse could reshape the balance of power in post-war Syria and determine the future of Kurdish self-governance in the region.
