SDF experience ‘invaluable’ as ISIS remains a threat: France

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The experience of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is “invaluable” in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) as the jihadist group continues to threaten Syria, a French diplomatic source said on Thursday. 

“The Syrian Democratic Forces have spearheaded the fight against Daesh [ISIS]. Their experience is invaluable after ten years of fighting Daesh, whose gains must be preserved as this organization remains a threat to Syrians, the region, and beyond,” the source told Rudaw, requesting anonymity.

The source also stressed that Paris “will pursue its commitment within the International Coalition against Daesh, in Iraq and Syria.” 

The SDF fought the lion’s share of the battle to drive ISIS out of Syria and arrested thousands of the group’s fighters. The Kurdish-led force holds around 10,000 ISIS prisoners and more than 40,000 people, mostly wives and children of ISIS militants, at the al-Hol camp in Hasaka. 

The SDF is the de facto army of Rojava. 

The source also commended a recent landmark agreement between Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and SDF chief Mazloum Abdi to integrate the SDF into the Syrian state apparatus. The agreement also recognizes the Kurds as an integral part of Syria, includes a countrywide ceasefire, and stipulates the return of displaced Syrians to their hometowns. 

“This agreement is in line with the principles established at the conference in Paris on February 13th and we hope it will strengthen Syria’s unity,” the source said. 

At that conference, French President Emmanuel Macron called on the new Syrian authorities to fully integrate the SDF into Syria’s security apparatus. “We are loyal to our allies because we also know what we owe them,” Macron said about the Kurdish-led force. 

France is an active member of the coalition and has troops in Rojava, alongside the US. It has also recently joined the Americans in their efforts to unite Syrian Kurds through intra-Kurdish talks that have been stalled for years.

Niyaz Mustafa contributed to this report.