Rojava–Damascus talks advance as SDF expected to remain in smaller units

Rojava–Damascus talks advance as SDF expected to remain in smaller units

A representative of northeast Syria’s administration (Rojava) in the United States says ongoing negotiations with Damascus include an understanding that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) will continue operating in reduced units across the region rather than disband entirely.

Sinam Mohamad, the Syrian Democratic Council’s (SDC) representative in Washington, told Rudaw on Friday that the latest discussions acknowledge the continued existence of the SDF. “The understanding is that SDF will not dissolve and will remain as smaller units across north and east Syria,” she said.

Integration process moves forward with key issues unresolved

Rojava and Damascus have agreed in principle to merge civil and military institutions with the Syrian state, but technical and political questions remain under negotiation. One of the most sensitive issues involves the future of women’s security forces in the region.

Mohamad said that because the current Syrian army does not include women in its ranks, the United States—acting as a mediator—supports maintaining the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) in their existing structure within North and East Syria.

U.S. lawmakers reaffirm support for SDF leadership

According to Mohamad, the SDF continues to enjoy strong bipartisan backing in Washington. Her comments followed an announcement from Congressman Abraham Hamadeh’s office confirming that he had spoken with SDF commander Mazloum Abdi.

The congressman’s office said he thanked Abdi for assigning a liaison to assist with recovering the remains of Kayla Mueller, an American aid worker killed by ISIS in 2015. Abdi reportedly praised President Trump’s decision to lift certain sanctions and urged consistent U.S. support for pluralistic governance in Syria.

Mohamad said the exchange demonstrates Washington’s ongoing commitment to the SDF, noting that U.S. lawmakers recognize the group’s crucial role in the fight against terrorism. She emphasized that the SDF remains “an organized and reliable” partner of the U.S.-led coalition.

Negotiations also focus on political structure and decentralization

A major topic of the talks between Rojava and Damascus is the future governance of Syria. Kurds and other minority communities have voiced concerns about the interim Syrian government’s increasingly centralized approach to power.

Mohamad said the SDC seeks a decentralized political system that protects all of Syria’s diverse communities. “This is for the protection of all national components of Syria, not just Kurds in north and east Syria,” she explained.

According to Mohamad, the U.S. government also favors an inclusive system and has connected sanctions relief to Damascus’ ability to safeguard minority rights.

Sanctions relief tied to Syrian government commitments

Mohamad said that U.S. lawmakers have not fully lifted the Caesar sanctions due to concerns about Syrian government behavior. “Some Congress members have some reservations about the Syrian government, so they need to put some conditions for the complete lifting of sanctions,” she said.

She added that if Damascus fails to uphold its commitments, sanctions could be reinstated quickly. The ongoing dialogue, she stressed, hinges on the Syrian government demonstrating practical steps toward political reform and minority protection.