Syria says conflict is with SDF, not Kurdish people; offers reconciliation to defectors

Syria’s Interior Ministry spokesperson Noureddine al-Baba said on Thursday that the Syrian government has “no conflict” with the country’s Kurdish community, but rather a political dispute with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). In an interview with Al-Hadath TV, Baba emphasized that Damascus distinguishes between Kurdish citizens and the SDF, which is dominated by the YPG—considered a terrorist organization by Damascus and Ankara.

March 10 Agreement and Accusations of SDF Violations

Baba pointed to the March 10, 2025, integration agreement as a pivotal moment that was celebrated by many in northeastern Syria but was met with SDF repression, including gunfire, arrests, and intimidation against those who raised the Syrian flag. He accused the SDF of failing to implement the accord and instead escalating attacks, including sniper fire on civilians in Aleppo and mortar shelling of residential areas, which prompted what he described as “limited” and necessary military operations to protect civilians.

Path to Reconciliation and Defector Integration

The spokesperson outlined a reconciliation approach, stating that the government welcomes defectors from the SDF who “were not involved in bloodshed.” He announced plans to introduce formal reconciliation measures and noted that former SDF members' experience could be utilized by state institutions. Baba reiterated that the Interior Ministry’s role after military advances focuses on securing property, protecting vital facilities, and enabling displaced civilians to return.

Ceasefire Challenges and Ongoing Tensions

The interview followed Tuesday’s announcement of a “mutual understanding” with the SDF over Hasakah province and a four-day ceasefire declared by the Defense Ministry. However, Baba noted that SDF attacks on Syrian army positions on the first day of the truce resulted in 11 soldiers killed and 25 injured, underscoring the fragility of the agreement. The statement reflects Damascus’s effort to frame the conflict as one against an armed group rather than an ethnic community, while continuing military and diplomatic pressure to reclaim control in the northeast.