Much depends on how the future settles in Syria after the deposing of Bashar al-Assad, complicated and feeble as it is, and further divided are territories within the country. The rebels, who are successful in defeating US et al. against Assad, are now tearing their hair trying to piece together a government that has long been soaked in the blood of civil war. This week, the new Syrian elite made a significant step to unify the resistant factions under a singular cohesive military structure. However, the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have opted to stay out of this new framework, raising questions about their future role in the country.
However, the decision to dissolve the different factions of rebels and to integrate them into the new Syrian army is seen by many as one of the most significant steps to stabilization in this region. The new leadership, consisting of various opposition figures, emphasized the merits of having a unified military in securing the country and preventing any resurgence of either Assad loyalists or extremist groups. However, the SDF, a crucial partner of the United States against ISIS, does not seem to share this idea about joining the new military formation.
Earlier this week, SDF spokesperson Farhad Shami addressed this issue in a statement: “SDF does not oppose joining Syrian military in principle,” Shami said, “but thorough negotiations with Damascus are required to secure the rights and interests of the Kurdish population.” The SDF controls a huge chunk of the northeast of Syria and is very worried about potential loss-across-the-board of autonomy and preserving the area’s unique cultural and political identity.
Due to the new Syria’s reality, the SDF has limited alternatives for preserving the status quo. Tension with other groups has arisen because of the group’s dominance of resource-rich areas, such as agricultural grounds and oil resources. Although the SDF’s unwillingness to join without assurances of its rights and autonomy has presented a major obstacle, the new Syrian government has made it plain that the merger of all opposition factions into a single force is non-negotiable.
The result of these discussions is of importance to the world community, especially the United States. Throughout the war, the U.S. has been a steadfast ally of the SDF, offering both military and humanitarian help. In order to guarantee a smooth and inclusive transition, Washington has pushed the future Syrian government to have productive discussions with the SDF. Ned Price, a spokesman for the U.S. State Department, highlighted this issue during a recent news conference. “The United States remains committed to supporting a stable and secure Syria,” Price stated. “We encourage the new Syrian leadership to work with all groups, including the SDF, to find a mutually acceptable solution.”
The place the SDF occupies is further rendered complex by the territorial reality in that region of the globe. Turkey and the SDF have had a hostile relationship for years with Turkey hitting the SDF as an ally of the PKK terrorist organization. This effectively means that any attempt by the SDF to join the new Syrian military can be blocked by Ankara thus prejudicing the situation in the region.
Nevertheless, the SDF still plays a significant role in Syria’s future and development, as it is evident through the stated challenges. Due to the armed forces and control of certain areas, the group is an essential ally in continuous operations to achieve the peace we need. So, when the new Syrian leadership will be striving to reconcile the country the role of SDF will be one of the defining factors of this process.
The upcoming weeks and months will proof decisive for the SDF and the new leadership of Syria. This analysis of the situation indicates that there will be need to pave way for the amalgamation of a new, strong and peaceful Syria and must seek to provide ways through which all factions can lay down their grievances and find common ground. United Nations and other countries: special attention is paid to the United States, which will take an active part in organizing such negotiations and protecting the rights of all groups.
Looking to the future as Syria starts its journey forward the people of the world patiently watch and pray that their new leaders can steer through these sometimes-treacherous waters of national reconciliation and rebuilding. The situation of the SDF and other Kurdish people will be the measure of the effectiveness of this new stage in the Syrian history.
