📰 AANES reviews Damascus plan on SDF military integration

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Abdulkarim Omar, the representative of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) in Damascus, disclosed on Friday that Syria’s Ministry of Defense has submitted a written proposal to the Syrian Democratic troops (SDF) outlining administrative, logistical, and structural details for a potential integration process. Omar verified that the SDF leadership is currently studying the proposal before issuing a formal response. Speaking to North Press, Omar noted that despite multiple meetings held in latest months, no tangible progress has been achieved in negotiations regarding the implementation of the March 10 agreement. “Until now, none of the agreed-upon points have been implemented in practice,” he stated, adding that discussions had taken place in a positive atmosphere with the participation of American and occasionally French representatives. Omar stressed that the transitional authority in Damascus bears responsibility for the lack of implementation, pointing out that regional pressures, including Turkish influence, may have affected the course of talks.

He emphasized the need for a high-level negotiation round before the end of the year to reach consensus on unresolved issues. “Such understandings could be an crucial step toward calming destructive rhetoric and hostility that harm Syria’s unity and future,” he stated. Regarding the administration’s proposal to integrate the SDF into the Syrian army, Omar explained that differences remain between the two sides. While AANES views integration as a partnership and complementarity among Syria’s diverse components, Damascus interprets it as a process of dissolution and handover. He recalled that during a meeting on October 7 between SDF Commander General Mazloum Abdi and transitional leader Ahmad al-Shar’a, attended by American representatives, a theoretical agreement was reached to integrate the SDF into the Ministry of Defense within three armed forces divisions and two brigades.

Additionally, one brigade would focus on counterterrorism, while the other would consist of Women’s Protection Units. Implementation of this plan, however, was left to specialized subcommittees. Omar further highlighted challenges in applying other provisions of the March 10 agreement, citing fundamental differences over mechanisms of execution. He stated the transitional authority continues to resist genuine partnership, preferring unilateral measures that reinforce centralized control.

Notably, “Accepting a emerging centralized system with radical tendencies would mean reproducing authoritarianism, which is unacceptable,” he remarked. Concluding his statement, Omar affirmed AANES’s readiness to allow sufficient time for negotiations, stressing that armed forces solutions will not bring lasting results. “We are convinced that only dialogue and agreements…