ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) will retain three divisions within the Syrian army’s structure under “a preliminary agreement,” a media affiliate of the Northeast Syria (Rojava) administration reported Thursday, noting that negotiations with Damascus are still ongoing.
In a statement posted on X, the North and East Syria Communication (Nescomm) - affiliated with the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES) - said that “a preliminary agreement has been reached to keep three divisions affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) within the military structure of the Syrian army.”
Nescomm added that “technical discussions are ongoing through specialized committees from both sides to address details related to roles and organizational structure, in a process expected to see practical steps in the coming period.”
The SDF serves as the de facto military force in Rojava and is the primary ground partner of the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat the Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Kurdish-led forces, Mazloum Abdi, signed a landmark agreement with Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa on March 10 to place Rojava’s civil and military institutions under centralized state authority and establish a nationwide ceasefire.
While talks to implement the accord have been ongoing since March, the two sides differ on how the SDF should be integrated. Kurdish negotiators want the forces incorporated as a unified bloc, whereas the Syrian side prefers absorbing them individually into regular army units.
Nescomm reported Thursday that Rojava-Damascus talks are advancing with international support encouraging “a political solution based on dialogue, as it is considered the most realistic option to ensure stability.”
Importantly, the Rojava administration’s media outlet noted that “any tangible progress requires refraining from media escalation and hate speech, and focusing on understanding and partnership as the only path to building a sustainable solution in Syria.”
The development comes despite recent attacks on SDF positions reportedly carried out by Damascus forces.
The SDF on Tuesday accused factions linked to the Damascus government of injuring two of its fighters in a suicide drone attack in Deir Hafer, located in the eastern part of northern Aleppo province.
A day earlier, the SDF reported that “factions affiliated with the Damascus government” shelled several areas near the Tishreen Dam in eastern Aleppo, “using artillery and heavy weapons.”
Last week, Abu Omar al-Idlibi, a senior commander in the North Democratic Forces - a component of the SDF - told Rudaw that the Kurdish-led forces are approaching integration talks with Damascus “with great seriousness.” However, progress remains stalled due to a lack of political will from the Damascus leadership and its failure to reciprocate the SDF’s initiatives, Idlibi said.