Syrian government suspends contacts with YPG-led SDF

Impasse over "non-negotiable" demands

In an official statement, the ministry declared that an agreement could not be reached due to the "non-negotiable and unworkable" demands of the SDF, which is led by the YPG. The statement read, "Contacts between the Syrian government and the SDF are suspended at this stage. We will give our final answer on the 28th of the month."

Background of the March 10 agreement

The breakdown follows a March 10 accord that required the SDF to dismantle its structure and fully integrate into the Syrian army by the end of the year. The YPG is considered a Syrian offshoot of the PKK, a designated terrorist organization that has waged a decades-long insurgency against Türkiye.

Implications for regional stability

This development represents a significant setback for reconciliation efforts within Syria and directly impacts the security calculus for Türkiye. Ankara views the dissolution of YPG-dominated forces near its border as a critical national security priority, aligning with its longstanding counter-terrorism operations.