Damascus rejects SDF demands to retain weapons, form separate military bloc

Rudaw Net

3 days ago

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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A senior Syrian government source on Thursday rejected the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces' (SDF) insistence on maintaining its weapons and joining the army as a bloc, calling the stance a violation of the landmark agreement reached in March between Damascus and northeast Syria (Rojava).
An unnamed senior source from Damascus told state-run al-Ikhbariya TV that 'talk of 'refusing to surrender weapons' and 'insisting on forming a military bloc' is entirely and categorically rejected,' adding that such positions 'contradict… the terms of the agreement' reached on March 10 between Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa and SDF chief Mazloum Abdi.
The agreement outlines the future of the SDF and Rojava. While parts of the agreement have been implemented, key provisions - such as integrating the US-backed SDF into Syrian state forces - remain contested.
'Handing over weapons is a red line; it is not possible to hand over weapons,' Farhad Shami, head of SDF media centre, told Syria's Alyaum TV on Wednesday.
'When we go to Damascus, naturally, we go with realistic proposals that not only serve the SDF but that serve Syria,' he added, noting that the SDF seeks to join the army as 'a bloc.'
The Damascus source, cited by al-Ikhbariya, said that 'no military entity outside the Syrian military institution can be considered legitimate by the state, and any attempt to maintain armed manifestations or separation from state institutions is a path that leads to further tension and division, not to a comprehensive national solution.'
SDF spokesperson Abjar Dawoud told Saudi-based Asharq Al-Awsat on Tuesday that the SDF could join the Syrian army 'through a constitutional and legal agreement that recognizes the specificity of our forces,' adding that they refuse to 'surrender' their weapons 'in light of the increase in the pace of violence' in southern Suwayda province.
He emphasized it is 'impossible' for the SDF to hand over its weapons while the Islamic State (ISIS) remains a threat to northeast Syria.
The SDF functions as the de facto army of Rojava.
This comes amid conflicting reports that SDF chief Mazloum Abdi had arrived in Paris on Wednesday for France-mediated talks with Syrian authorities. Sources later disputed the claim, citing tensions with Damascus and suggesting the meeting was postponed.
The Damascus source rejected what it described as attempts to 'use the events in Suwayda or [clashes in] the coast to justify refusing to align under the state's banner,' saying such arguments 'reflect blatant attempts to incite public opinion and distort the facts.'
Clashes erupted in Suwayda on July 13 between Druze fighters and Bedouin tribes, escalating into a broader conflict. At least 1,300 people have been killed, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The violence drew Israeli intervention in support of the Druze, with strikes targeting Syrian state forces and the defense ministry building in Damascus.
A ceasefire between Israel and Syria - brokered by Washington- was announced Saturday by US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack and appears to be holding.
Damascus has come under fire for its response to the clashes, with Barrack saying Damascus should be held accountable for what happened in Suwayda.
The European Union on Thursday condemned the violence in southern Syria, calling for a 'transparent, credible and impartial investigation, and for all perpetrators of grave violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law to be held accountable and brought to justice – including with the support of relevant international mechanisms.'
While Sharaa has pledged to form an 'inclusive transitional government that would reflect Syria's diversity,' he faces criticism from both domestic and international actors over what is seen as the marginalization of minority communities.
The SDF has been the main ally of the US-led global coalition against ISIS. During Syria's civil war, Kurdish forces established an autonomous administration across large parts of the country's northeast after government troops withdrew. Since the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad, the SDF and the US have warned of ISIS efforts to reestablish a foothold amid Syria's shifting security landscape.
Kurdish leaders have also voiced concern over the centralization of power and the prominence of Islamic law in the transitional constitution adopted by the interim government. They have repeatedly denied accusations of separatism and have called instead for federalism.