Efforts by the leadership of the new Syrian government ruled that all armed groups must now disarm and disband, a ruling that so far has been met with deaf ears. One of the biggest armed groups, the Syrian Defense Forces (SDF) said in response, “The SDF is keen on joining Syria’s defense system as a bloc.” In other words, they won’t disarm or disband.
Armed groups in Syria push back against Damascus decision to disband them – Rudaw Media Network
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Armed factions in Syria are reacting to a recent decision by the new leadership in Damascus to dissolve all armed groups.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) say they want to align with government forces while retaining their current organizational structure and hierarchy. “The SDF is keen on joining Syria’s defense system as a bloc,” an informed SDF source told Rudaw, but to “maintain its formations,” he added.
The source further explained that a force directly linked to Damascus “could be established from members of the SDF to serve as border guards.” The new force would include members of “the local populations of each region,” the source explained, indicating that such forces would not only be made up of Kurds.
It is important to note that Damascus-affiliated security forces have not clashed with the SDF. On the contrary, discussions are underway between the new Syrian leadership and the Kurdish administration in northeast Syria (Rojava) about the future of the Kurdish enclave and the potential inclusion of the SDF in Syria’s security forces.
Syria’s Defense Minister, Murhaf Abu Qasra, stated on Sunday that “a military solution with the Kurds in northeastern Syria would lead to the bloodshed” of both Damascus-affiliated forces and the SDF. In an interview with the Washington Post, the minister said that the new Syrian leadership is keen on resolving tangled issues with Rojava “through diplomatic means.”
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