ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Turkey’s representative to the United Nations on Thursday described developments surrounding the integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into Syrian state institutions as "good," days after the Kurdish-led force announced its dissolution.
Ahmet Yildiz told Rudaw’s Namo Abdulla that the "fulfillment of the agreed condition must be verified over time."
He declined to comment further on the process, describing it as “serious internal affairs.”
The Turkish presidency has welcomed the SDF’s dissolution, joining several regional and Western countries that have hailed the move as an important step toward unifying Syria.
SDF chief Mazloum Abdi announced on Tuesday the dissolution of the force as part of its integration into the Syrian military. US Special Envoy for Syria and Iraq Tom Barrack described the development as “absolutely historic,” while Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani said the progress was an important step toward strengthening Syria’s security and stability.
The integration follows a series of agreements between the SDF and Damascus, with the latest one being signed in January, following weeks of clashes. A subsequent deal provided for the formation of three Syrian army brigades from SDF forces and the deployment of interior ministry forces in the Kurdish-majority cities of Hasaka, Qamishli and Kobane.
Turkey has long viewed the SDF as a security threat because of its alleged links to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a claim denied by the SDF.
Ankara has launched several military offensives against the Kurdish-led force in northern Syria since 2016.
