Damascus stipulates the dissolution of the SDF and its institutions to end the issue: Details of the crisis
In a significant development in the political and military landscape of Syria, the Syrian government in Damascus reiterated its firm stance on the issue of northeastern Syria, stipulating a formal declaration dissolving the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in its entirety, including all its structures and institutions, as a fundamental step for any future settlement. This insistence comes at a time of complex regional and international tensions, as Damascus seeks to regain full control over all Syrian territory and end the current state of military and administrative fragmentation.
Background of the conflict and the government's position
Damascus's vision is based on the principle of national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Syrian government considers the administrative and military structures established by the SDF with the support of the US-led international coalition to be illegitimate and a threat to the country's unity. Damascus has consistently maintained in previous rounds of negotiations, both public and indirect, that the only solution lies in the integration of Kurdish forces into the ranks of the Syrian Arab Army as individuals, not as independent units, along with the dissolution of the "Autonomous Administration" and the transfer of its institutions to the central government.
Strategic and economic importance
This issue is of paramount importance given the geographical location and resources controlled by the SDF. The area east of the Euphrates is considered Syria's breadbasket and its oil reservoir, containing the most important oil and gas fields and fertile agricultural lands. Damascus understands that Syria's economic recovery is inextricably linked to regaining control of these resources and managing them centrally, which makes the dissolution of the SDF's institutions not merely a political demand, but a pressing economic necessity for Syrian national security.
Regional and international challenges
This demand faces significant challenges, most notably the US military presence supporting the SDF, which is considered the biggest obstacle to Damascus extending its control. Conversely, Damascus's position partially aligns with Turkish concerns about the growing influence of Kurdish units on its southern border, creating a complex landscape of overlapping interests. Observers believe that Damascus's insistence on these high demands reflects a desire to definitively resolve the issue of dual power, capitalizing on international and regional developments that might push Kurdish factions to seek the protection of the Syrian state against potential external threats.
In conclusion, the issue of the SDF and northeastern Syria remains one of the most complex issues in the Syrian crisis, as Damascus’s condition of dissolving these institutions constitutes a pivotal point that may determine the shape of the political and military map of the country in the next stage.
