ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Syrian Interior Ministry welcomes the integration of the Women's Protection Units (YPJ) into the ministry on Friday, describing the act as an “enrichment and a necessity” for the country’s security apparatus.
“We welcome Syrian women from any background and from any geographic region,” Ministry Spokesperson Noureddine al-Baba told Rudaw’s Solin Mohammedamin, noting “the presence of women in the Interior Ministry as an act of enrichment and a necessity imposed by security work.”
The YPJ, an all-female force affiliated with the People's Protection Units (YPG), forms a core component of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). It played a pivotal role in liberating the symbolic Kurdish city of Kobane in northeast Syria (Rojava) from the Islamic State (ISIS) in early 2015, with significant backing from the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.
While the SDF's integration has been finalized, that of its affiliated all-women force YPJ remains incomplete.
“We welcome the joining of our sisters and colleagues from the Women's Protection Units to the Syrian Interior Ministry,” said Baba, noting that the ministry “will benefit from their expertise” and that “this joining is not limited to a specific geographic area — on the contrary, any Syrian competency has the right to serve in any part of Syria.”
The spokesperson visited the internal security forces in Hasaka province last January, describing their reception as “very warm” and their organization as “very high-level.” He added that “there is a high degree of harmony between the new cadres in the interior ministry and the original cadres who were already there.”
YPJ stated on Thursday that its fighters "could be integrated, as a distinct and organized force, into the structure of the [Syrian] Ministry of Interior."
The announcement followed a meeting between the YPJ's general command and an official interior ministry delegation, during which "issues of security and stability in Syria" and "cooperation and coordination between the two sides" were discussed, the statement said, noting that further "meetings and discussions" lie ahead.
Syria's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ibrahim Olabi, on Thursday welcomed the progress on YPJ’s integration as part of a broader "positive atmosphere" reflecting a shared desire to "work together to a future, a better Syria that really is deserving of all."
The following is the full transcript of the interview with Syrian interior ministry Spokesperson Noureddine al-Baba.
Rudaw: What can you tell us about the integration of the Women's Protection Units (YPJ) under the interior ministry?
Noureddine al-Baba: We welcome all active Syrian cadres who wish to work within the interior ministry and we value all Syrian competencies. We welcome Syrian women from any background and from any geographic region. We view the presence of women in the interior ministry as an act of enrichment and a necessity imposed by security work. Therefore, we welcome the joining of our sisters and colleagues from the Women's Protection Units to the Syrian interior ministry, and God willing, the ministry will benefit from their expertise. This union is not limited to a specific geographic area - on the contrary, any Syrian competency has the right to serve in any part of Syria.
What about the ranks of the Women's Protection Units? How will they join the interior ministry with their previously held ranks?
This matter is handled within bilateral agreements and the practical needs of the interior ministry - meaning there is a practical requirement that drives this issue. We value all cadres and all competencies, and we will benefit from all of them, God willing.
There are members from the internal security forces in Hasaka province who are from Afrin. Is there any possibility of their return to Afrin within the interior ministry's cadres?
This matter depends first on the needs across the geographic areas throughout Syria, and second on personal preference - whether they want to or not. On the contrary, we welcome all cadres present in Syria and all Syrian competencies to have a share in security work within the interior ministry, because we see security work as a service rendered to Syrian society, and we are keen for this service to be at the highest standards.
Is there any outstanding issue currently between the internal security forces in Hasaka province and the interior ministry, or what?
No, on the contrary - I had the honor of visiting our colleagues in the internal security forces in Hasaka province in January of last year, and to be fair, their reception was very warm, their organization was very high-level, and there is a high degree of harmony between the new cadres in the interior ministry and the original cadres who were already there. God willing, every Syrian cadre will find a distinguished place in the interior ministry.
Siamand Afrin was in Damascus and had meetings with the interior ministry - I believe there were discussions regarding the Afrin file and the transfer of internal security from Hasaka to Afrin. Your comment on this matter?
Colonel Mahmoud is one of the very distinguished competencies that we were honored to receive at the Interior Ministry. The matter of transfer is purely an administrative issue. As I mentioned, this depends first on the manpower needs within the province for the forces serving within that province, and second on the personal desire of the interior ministry staff member to serve in that region.
