Kurdish groups weigh political future after SDF integration into Syrian forces
The Syrian Democratic Forces have merged into government forces, prompting debate among Kurds about how to protect their rights. Some see the move as a chance to gain constitutional guarantees, while others fear it was driven by Turkish and US pressure. Analysts question whether abandoning armed struggle will weaken Kurdish demands.
The US-backed SDF, created in 2015 to combat ISIL, governed Syria's northeast for over ten years. Government forces seized northern Syria earlier this year, leading to the SDF's dissolution and the end of the autonomous administration after negotiations.
Ankara views the YPG as a terrorist offshoot of the PKK, which dissolved in May 2025 following its jailed leader's call to disarm. While some Kurdish politicians view the merger as a chance for constitutional rights, others suspect it resulted from Turkish and US pressure.
The merger could reshape Kurdish political engagement, offering a potential route to formal constitutional protections for language and rights. However, if democratic guarantees falter, Kurds may find themselves without armed leverage. Regional stability could improve as armed groups disband, but the loss of self-governance might heighten minority anxieties. The outcome may influence how other Kurdish communities in Iraq and Turkiye pursue their demands.