Syrian Defence Minister Rejects Kurdish SDF’s Proposal for Separate Military Bloc
Syria's new defence minister prioritizes integration of armed groups into a unified command structure, rejecting SDF's request for autonomy.
Syria’s newly appointed defence minister, Murhaf Abu Qasra, has dismissed a proposal by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to retain a separate military bloc within the broader Syrian armed forces. In an interview with Reuters on Sunday, Abu Qasra stated that while the SDF could be integrated into the Syrian Ministry of Defence, maintaining their autonomy within the military would not be acceptable.
The SDF, which has controlled a semi-autonomous zone in Syria's northeast for 14 years, has been engaged in talks with the new government in Damascus, which was formed after former rebel groups toppled President Bashar al-Assad on December 8. SDF commander Mazloum Abdi (also known as Mazloum Kobani) recently suggested the group would be open to joining the Ministry of Defence but insisted on remaining as a distinct military bloc rather than dissolving into the larger structure.
Abu Qasra, who took office on December 21, rejected this suggestion, stating, “They can enter the Defence Ministry within its hierarchy and be incorporated in a military capacity, but maintaining a separate military bloc within such a large institution is not appropriate.”
One of the minister’s primary goals since his appointment has been to unify the many anti-Assad factions under a single command structure. However, integrating the SDF has proven difficult. The U.S. considers the SDF a key ally in the fight against ISIS, while neighbouring Turkey views the group as a threat, linking them to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
Abu Qasra acknowledged having met with SDF leaders but criticized them for stalling in the integration process. He emphasized that incorporating the SDF into the Defence Ministry, as with other former rebel factions, was a matter of Syrian sovereignty.
Since his appointment, Abu Qasra has focused on achieving the integration of various groups, aiming to finalize key military appointments by March 1, the expiration date of the transitional government’s mandate. He defended the urgency of the integration process, citing the pressing “security issues” facing the country.
The new administration has also faced criticism for granting military ranks to foreign fighters, including Egyptians and Jordanians, a decision that has sparked controversy. Abu Qasra acknowledged the backlash but noted he had not received any requests to extradite these foreign fighters.
As Syria’s new government continues to navigate these challenges, the integration of the SDF remains a key hurdle in the country’s quest for a unified military structure.