Syrian president says state open to SDF integration, accuses group of violating agreements

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has reiterated that the state’s “door remains open” for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to join national institutions, but emphasized that the group has not honored previous agreements aimed at restoring stability, particularly in Aleppo. In a televised interview with Al-Ikhbariya, al-Sharaa stressed that the government did not demand the SDF’s dissolution but called for its formal integration, noting that trust “cannot be built overnight” given the group’s actions during the conflict.

Allegations of Agreement Violations and Violence

The president detailed how the SDF failed to comply with the April 1, 2025 agreement requiring its withdrawal from Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood, where only a limited number of interior ministry personnel and local residents remained for security. Although the SDF initially announced the withdrawal was complete, clashes resumed about two months later, with shelling hitting residential areas including Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh, and Bani Zaid. Al-Sharaa stated that such violence directly undermines Aleppo’s security and its prospects as an economic hub, deterring investment and hindering reconstruction.

Context of Past Integration Efforts

In March 2025, Damascus announced an agreement to integrate the SDF into state institutions, reaffirming Syria’s territorial unity. A follow-up pact in April specific to Aleppo’s neighborhoods stipulated disarming militias, restricting weapons to state security forces, and requiring SDF forces to withdraw east of the Euphrates River. Authorities maintain the SDF has not fulfilled these terms, contributing to ongoing tensions and recent Syrian army reinforcements in eastern Aleppo.

Broader Implications for National Reconciliation

Al-Sharaa’s remarks underscore the challenges in reconciling autonomous Kurdish-led forces with the central government amid fragile post-conflict stability. While expressing openness to dialogue, the president framed the SDF’s military presence in contested areas as an obstacle to Aleppo’s recovery and national cohesion. The situation reflects the complex balance between local autonomy and centralized authority as Syria continues its political transition following the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.