Turkish Defense Minister Güler's open threat to SDF
Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler targeted the SDF in his statements regarding North and East Syria. Güler argued that the SDF should be integrated into the Syrian army "individually, not as a unit" and threatened to intervene.
THREAT FROM YAŞAR GÜLER
ANF
NEWS CENTER
Saturday, December 20, 2025
Defense Minister Yaşar Güler met with Ankara representatives of media organizations as part of the Annual Evaluation Meeting. Making evaluations about the future of North and East Syria at the meeting, Güler asserted that Turkey's plans are ready for all developments in the field.
Güler argued that the newly established structure in Syria should not accept the SDF "in unity" and imposed that SDF fighters join the Syrian army individually. Güler pointed out that this approach actually means the liquidation of the military and political presence of the SDF.
Referring to the negotiations with the USA, Güler claimed that Washington's attitude has changed and said, "Our US friends see the facts better, our differences of opinion are decreasing." Güler emphasized that Turkey will not step back from its demands on this issue.
Güler said, "Our plans are ready for all kinds of developments. We know very well what to do. We have the power to do the same as we have done so far," he said, clearly stating that Turkey is keeping the option of a possible military operation on the table.
OPEN MILITARY THREAT
Answering the question of what will be done if the SDF does not take a step back on its integration into the Syrian army, Güler recalled the military operations carried out in Syria since 2016 and said, "We will do what is necessary without asking anyone."
These statements once again reveal that Ankara continues its policy of pressure and threats against the SDF in North and East Syria, and are considered as a harbinger of new steps that will deepen instability in the region.
Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler targeted the SDF in his statements regarding North and East Syria. Güler argued that the SDF should be integrated into the Syrian army "individually, not as a unit" and threatened to intervene.
THREAT FROM YAŞAR GÜLER
ANF
NEWS CENTER
Saturday, December 20, 2025
Defense Minister Yaşar Güler met with Ankara representatives of media organizations as part of the Annual Evaluation Meeting. Making evaluations about the future of North and East Syria at the meeting, Güler asserted that Turkey's plans are ready for all developments in the field.
Güler argued that the newly established structure in Syria should not accept the SDF "in unity" and imposed that SDF fighters join the Syrian army individually. Güler pointed out that this approach actually means the liquidation of the military and political presence of the SDF.
Referring to the negotiations with the USA, Güler claimed that Washington's attitude has changed and said, "Our US friends see the facts better, our differences of opinion are decreasing." Güler emphasized that Turkey will not step back from its demands on this issue.
Güler said, "Our plans are ready for all kinds of developments. We know very well what to do. We have the power to do the same as we have done so far," he said, clearly stating that Turkey is keeping the option of a possible military operation on the table.
OPEN MILITARY THREAT
Answering the question of what will be done if the SDF does not take a step back on its integration into the Syrian army, Güler recalled the military operations carried out in Syria since 2016 and said, "We will do what is necessary without asking anyone."
These statements once again reveal that Ankara continues its policy of pressure and threats against the SDF in North and East Syria, and are considered as a harbinger of new steps that will deepen instability in the region.
SDF to retain ‘three divisions’ in Syrian army under preliminary deal
18-12-2025
Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) will retain three divisions within the Syrian army’s structure under “a preliminary agreement,” a media affiliate of the Northeast Syria (Rojava) administration reported Thursday, noting that negotiations with Damascus are still ongoing.
In a statement posted on X, the North and East Syria Communication (Nescomm) - affiliated with the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES) - said that “a preliminary agreement has been reached to keep three divisions affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) within the military structure of the Syrian army.”
Nescomm added that “technical discussions are ongoing through specialized committees from both sides to address details related to roles and organizational structure, in a process expected to see practical steps in the coming period.”
The SDF serves as the de facto military force in Rojava and is the primary ground partner of the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat the Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Kurdish-led forces, Mazloum Abdi, signed a landmark agreement with Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa on March 10 to place Rojava’s civil and military institutions under centralized state authority and establish a nationwide ceasefire.
While talks to implement the accord have been ongoing since March, the two sides differ on how the SDF should be integrated. Kurdish negotiators want the forces incorporated as a unified bloc, whereas the Syrian side prefers absorbing them individually into regular army units.
Nescomm reported Thursday that Rojava-Damascus talks are advancing with international support encouraging “a political solution based on dialogue, as it is considered the most realistic option to ensure stability.”
Importantly, the Rojava administration’s media outlet noted that “any tangible progress requires refraining from media escalation and hate speech, and focusing on understanding and partnership as the only path to building a sustainable solution in Syria.”
The development comes despite recent attacks on SDF positions reportedly carried out by Damascus forces.
The SDF on Tuesday accused factions linked to the Damascus government of injuring two of its fighters in a suicide drone attack in Deir Hafer, located in the eastern part of northern Aleppo province.
A day earlier, the SDF reported that “factions affiliated with the Damascus government” shelled several areas near the Tishreen Dam in eastern Aleppo, “using artillery and heavy weapons.”
Last week, Abu Omar al-Idlibi, a senior commander in the North Democratic Forces - a component of the SDF - told Rudaw that the Kurdish-led forces are approaching integration talks with Damascus “with great seriousness.” However, progress remains stalled due to a lack of political will from the Damascus leadership and its failure to reciprocate the SDF’s initiatives, Idlibi said.
18-12-2025
Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) will retain three divisions within the Syrian army’s structure under “a preliminary agreement,” a media affiliate of the Northeast Syria (Rojava) administration reported Thursday, noting that negotiations with Damascus are still ongoing.
In a statement posted on X, the North and East Syria Communication (Nescomm) - affiliated with the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES) - said that “a preliminary agreement has been reached to keep three divisions affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) within the military structure of the Syrian army.”
Nescomm added that “technical discussions are ongoing through specialized committees from both sides to address details related to roles and organizational structure, in a process expected to see practical steps in the coming period.”
The SDF serves as the de facto military force in Rojava and is the primary ground partner of the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat the Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Kurdish-led forces, Mazloum Abdi, signed a landmark agreement with Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa on March 10 to place Rojava’s civil and military institutions under centralized state authority and establish a nationwide ceasefire.
While talks to implement the accord have been ongoing since March, the two sides differ on how the SDF should be integrated. Kurdish negotiators want the forces incorporated as a unified bloc, whereas the Syrian side prefers absorbing them individually into regular army units.
Nescomm reported Thursday that Rojava-Damascus talks are advancing with international support encouraging “a political solution based on dialogue, as it is considered the most realistic option to ensure stability.”
Importantly, the Rojava administration’s media outlet noted that “any tangible progress requires refraining from media escalation and hate speech, and focusing on understanding and partnership as the only path to building a sustainable solution in Syria.”
The development comes despite recent attacks on SDF positions reportedly carried out by Damascus forces.
The SDF on Tuesday accused factions linked to the Damascus government of injuring two of its fighters in a suicide drone attack in Deir Hafer, located in the eastern part of northern Aleppo province.
A day earlier, the SDF reported that “factions affiliated with the Damascus government” shelled several areas near the Tishreen Dam in eastern Aleppo, “using artillery and heavy weapons.”
Last week, Abu Omar al-Idlibi, a senior commander in the North Democratic Forces - a component of the SDF - told Rudaw that the Kurdish-led forces are approaching integration talks with Damascus “with great seriousness.” However, progress remains stalled due to a lack of political will from the Damascus leadership and its failure to reciprocate the SDF’s initiatives, Idlibi said.
Preparations for an attack on Rojava?
Turkey met with delegations from France, the United States, Britain and Russia to attack North and East Syria, destroy its gains and force the SDF to disarm.
Turkey met with delegations from France, the United States, Britain and Russia to attack North and East Syria, destroy its gains and force the SDF to disarm.
ZEYNEP BORAN
NEWS CENTER
Saturday, December 13, 2025
While the Syrian crisis has become the focus of regional and Western powers again; The Turkish state is intensifying its intelligence and diplomatic activities in order to destroy the gains and military power of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria. In this process, which marks the first year of Jolani's seizure of power in Damascus and the last three months of the deadline for the implementation of the March 10 agreement, we see that the diplomatic language has hardened.
While jihadist groups within Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) openly threaten the Autonomous Administration, it is known that the talks between the HTS regime and the Autonomous Administration have stopped for a while. On the other hand, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan imposes that every step to be taken within the scope of the March 10 agreement should be taken according to his wishes.
There was heavy traffic, especially in the first weeks of December 2025. Meetings were held with the participation of a security delegation representing the HTS regime, as well as delegations from the UK, Turkey, France, the United States and Russia. This reflects the international understanding that Syria's future cannot be determined militarily and that the Autonomous Administration has become an important actor in the political and security environment. In all its meetings, Turkey describes the political and social activities of the Autonomous Administration as a "direct threat to Turkey's national security" and the support of the Autonomous Administration by Israel, France and the United States as "an attack on the territorial integrity of Syria." It was learned that the Turkish delegation told the French delegation that this support "allows the PKK to create a safe corridor between northern Iraq and Syria, which threatens Turkey's border security."
In the meetings, the details of which we have reached, the views of some international parties, especially the British and French delegations, on the Autonomous Administration draw attention. It is stated that the delegations said that the Kurds in Syria do not demand separation or independence, on the contrary, they want to stay within the borders of a united Syria, but that a decentralized or federal model should be applied for this. At the same time, the delegations clearly emphasized the need to guarantee the political, security, cultural and economic rights of the Kurds and ensure their fair representation in the institutions of power.
This attitude is implicit recognition of the legitimacy of the Autonomous Administration and reflects a general Western tendency to see the Autonomous Administration as an important partner in stability and the fight against ISIS, especially considering the key role of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in defeating ISIS.
It was learned that the Turkish delegation tried to limit the March 10 agreement to the withdrawal of the SDF from Deir al-Zor, Reqa and Tebqa and the disarmament of the SDF. Moreover, it was stated that he asked the French delegation to put direct pressure on the SDF to force it to surrender its weapons and join HTS's institutions, which was rejected by France. It was noted that the Turkish delegation expressed its disappointment with what it described as "Europe's strict stance" and argued that Europe continues to support the Autonomous Administration within the framework of the "fight against terrorism" and that this support reflects Europe's independence from Turkish pressure to some extent.
Despite the new pragmatic relationship established between Turkey and the HTS regime after the fall of the Baath regime, HTS has not fully adopted Ankara's policy. As HTS seeks to rebuild a centralized state, it recognizes that the Autonomous Administration and the SDF are an important military, political, and social force that cannot be ignored or dismantled. However, it was stated that the Damascus delegation insisted on the individual integration of SDF fighters into the Syrian army, security, oil and natural gas, prisons where ISIS members are held, and the transfer of control of border crossings to it.
It was learned that Russia was cautious in managing its relations with all parties. Although it is a key partner for Turkey on many issues, it seems willing to maintain open channels of communication with the Autonomous Administration.
Despite Turkey's forcing HTS to launch an attack on the Autonomous Administration, Moscow has given clear messages that any attack could directly conflict with its interests and weaken its influence, especially in the coastal regions of Syria. Russia's position reflects the understanding that a possible attack would destabilize the country and revive extremist organizations. This does not align with Russia's current interests in Syria.
The sources emphasized that the US delegation firmly and unequivocally rejects any attack against the areas under the control of the Autonomous Administration. Washington believes that a large-scale war would lead to the resurgence of ISIS and threaten the security gains made by the SDF in recent years. It was stated that the US delegation conveyed these concerns directly to Turkey, emphasizing that stability in North and East Syria is a key element of the US strategy in the region and that the SDF is an indispensable partner.
Among these complex dynamics, Russian sources to the Israeli security delegation; An unexpected Israeli role emerged when Turkey announced that it had informed Moscow of its plans to establish permanent bases in southern Syria in order to limit its influence. This development reflects the multiplicity of actors involved in the Syrian crisis and shows that any radical shift in the balance of power in the north of the country will inevitably affect the south, where sensitive regional security interests intersect.
In addition, it was learned that the Turkish delegation claimed that Israel prevented the US from approving Turkey's operation against the Autonomous Administration on the grounds that Iran would be active in Syria again. This reflects Israel's strategy to maintain its influence in Syria and put pressure on Turkey.
All these developments show that the main disagreement between the Autonomous Administration and the HTS regime is not limited to security, border issues and oil, but also lies at the core of the identity of the future Syrian state. While HTS is moving towards once again imposing the centralist system that Syrians have suffered for decades, the Autonomous Administration adheres to a decentralized project based on the distribution of power according to geographical, ethnic and religious criteria, compatible with the complex realities of Syrian society.
In the new power struggle in the region, the chances of the Autonomous Administration and the SDF consolidating their positions in the Syrian geography are higher than ever. In short, it is clear that the Kurds have succeeded in positioning themselves as a key force in the future of Syria over the past decade. With the growing conviction in the regional and international arena that a decentralized model may be the most realistic option for Syria's stability, the Autonomous Administration project demonstrates the will to move forward towards becoming an integral part of Syria's future political structure, despite numerous challenges and pressures.
source: New Free Politics
NEWS CENTER
Saturday, December 13, 2025
While the Syrian crisis has become the focus of regional and Western powers again; The Turkish state is intensifying its intelligence and diplomatic activities in order to destroy the gains and military power of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria. In this process, which marks the first year of Jolani's seizure of power in Damascus and the last three months of the deadline for the implementation of the March 10 agreement, we see that the diplomatic language has hardened.
While jihadist groups within Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) openly threaten the Autonomous Administration, it is known that the talks between the HTS regime and the Autonomous Administration have stopped for a while. On the other hand, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan imposes that every step to be taken within the scope of the March 10 agreement should be taken according to his wishes.
There was heavy traffic, especially in the first weeks of December 2025. Meetings were held with the participation of a security delegation representing the HTS regime, as well as delegations from the UK, Turkey, France, the United States and Russia. This reflects the international understanding that Syria's future cannot be determined militarily and that the Autonomous Administration has become an important actor in the political and security environment. In all its meetings, Turkey describes the political and social activities of the Autonomous Administration as a "direct threat to Turkey's national security" and the support of the Autonomous Administration by Israel, France and the United States as "an attack on the territorial integrity of Syria." It was learned that the Turkish delegation told the French delegation that this support "allows the PKK to create a safe corridor between northern Iraq and Syria, which threatens Turkey's border security."
In the meetings, the details of which we have reached, the views of some international parties, especially the British and French delegations, on the Autonomous Administration draw attention. It is stated that the delegations said that the Kurds in Syria do not demand separation or independence, on the contrary, they want to stay within the borders of a united Syria, but that a decentralized or federal model should be applied for this. At the same time, the delegations clearly emphasized the need to guarantee the political, security, cultural and economic rights of the Kurds and ensure their fair representation in the institutions of power.
This attitude is implicit recognition of the legitimacy of the Autonomous Administration and reflects a general Western tendency to see the Autonomous Administration as an important partner in stability and the fight against ISIS, especially considering the key role of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in defeating ISIS.
It was learned that the Turkish delegation tried to limit the March 10 agreement to the withdrawal of the SDF from Deir al-Zor, Reqa and Tebqa and the disarmament of the SDF. Moreover, it was stated that he asked the French delegation to put direct pressure on the SDF to force it to surrender its weapons and join HTS's institutions, which was rejected by France. It was noted that the Turkish delegation expressed its disappointment with what it described as "Europe's strict stance" and argued that Europe continues to support the Autonomous Administration within the framework of the "fight against terrorism" and that this support reflects Europe's independence from Turkish pressure to some extent.
Despite the new pragmatic relationship established between Turkey and the HTS regime after the fall of the Baath regime, HTS has not fully adopted Ankara's policy. As HTS seeks to rebuild a centralized state, it recognizes that the Autonomous Administration and the SDF are an important military, political, and social force that cannot be ignored or dismantled. However, it was stated that the Damascus delegation insisted on the individual integration of SDF fighters into the Syrian army, security, oil and natural gas, prisons where ISIS members are held, and the transfer of control of border crossings to it.
It was learned that Russia was cautious in managing its relations with all parties. Although it is a key partner for Turkey on many issues, it seems willing to maintain open channels of communication with the Autonomous Administration.
Despite Turkey's forcing HTS to launch an attack on the Autonomous Administration, Moscow has given clear messages that any attack could directly conflict with its interests and weaken its influence, especially in the coastal regions of Syria. Russia's position reflects the understanding that a possible attack would destabilize the country and revive extremist organizations. This does not align with Russia's current interests in Syria.
The sources emphasized that the US delegation firmly and unequivocally rejects any attack against the areas under the control of the Autonomous Administration. Washington believes that a large-scale war would lead to the resurgence of ISIS and threaten the security gains made by the SDF in recent years. It was stated that the US delegation conveyed these concerns directly to Turkey, emphasizing that stability in North and East Syria is a key element of the US strategy in the region and that the SDF is an indispensable partner.
Among these complex dynamics, Russian sources to the Israeli security delegation; An unexpected Israeli role emerged when Turkey announced that it had informed Moscow of its plans to establish permanent bases in southern Syria in order to limit its influence. This development reflects the multiplicity of actors involved in the Syrian crisis and shows that any radical shift in the balance of power in the north of the country will inevitably affect the south, where sensitive regional security interests intersect.
In addition, it was learned that the Turkish delegation claimed that Israel prevented the US from approving Turkey's operation against the Autonomous Administration on the grounds that Iran would be active in Syria again. This reflects Israel's strategy to maintain its influence in Syria and put pressure on Turkey.
All these developments show that the main disagreement between the Autonomous Administration and the HTS regime is not limited to security, border issues and oil, but also lies at the core of the identity of the future Syrian state. While HTS is moving towards once again imposing the centralist system that Syrians have suffered for decades, the Autonomous Administration adheres to a decentralized project based on the distribution of power according to geographical, ethnic and religious criteria, compatible with the complex realities of Syrian society.
In the new power struggle in the region, the chances of the Autonomous Administration and the SDF consolidating their positions in the Syrian geography are higher than ever. In short, it is clear that the Kurds have succeeded in positioning themselves as a key force in the future of Syria over the past decade. With the growing conviction in the regional and international arena that a decentralized model may be the most realistic option for Syria's stability, the Autonomous Administration project demonstrates the will to move forward towards becoming an integral part of Syria's future political structure, despite numerous challenges and pressures.
source: New Free Politics
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