Syrian Democratic Forces

The strategic misjudgment of the Kurdish factor in Iran’s war - opinion

While Washington initially expressed rhetorical support for the Kurdish opposition, it later issued more cautious messages discouraging active Kurdish involvement in the conflict.

Iranian Kurdish fighters from the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK) take part in a training session at a base on the outskirts of Erbil, Iraq February 12, 2026.
A rebel fighter takes away a flag that belonged to Islamic State militants in Akhtarin village, after rebel fighters advanced in the area, in northern Aleppo Governorate, Syria, October 7, 2016

ISIS claims responsibility for new attack in Syria targeting official near Damascus

Members of Australian families believed to be linked to the Islamic State militants wait to leave Roj camp near Derik, Syria April 24, 2026.

Last of Australian ISIS linked families leave Syrian camps

A still image taken from an Islamic State (ISIS) video

ISIS escalates rhetoric, seeks ‘new phase of fighting’ in Syria - analysis


Integrating the Kurdish communit? Syria has more pressing concerns - analysis

Damascus is still trying to crack down on ISIS threats, and fund people who have returned from displaced persons camps. The gov't wants to focus on issues closer to home, such as Israel, and Sweida.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, August 6, 2025.

Syria’s returning refugees face ruins, not relief - analysis

The Norwegian Refugee Council said on Thursday that the world is “failing the Syrians who have returned home.”

People load a vehicle, as some families prepare to leave the al-Hol refugee camp to go back to their hometowns, in al-Hol, Syria, April 27, 2025.

CENTCOM's ISIS leader strike indicates laser focus trying to remove ISIS from Syria - analysis

ISIS was largely defeated in Syria in 2019. However, it still has cells that operate. The US-led Coalition continues anti-terror operations across both Syria and Iraq.

 Illustration of ISIS terrorists.

Syria’s Sharaa hopes for Kurdish deal to prevent conflict

The SDF, which controls parts of northeast Syria where Arabs form a majority, has recently fortified extensive tunnel networks along the frontlines.

A member of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) stands guard as Syrian Kurds attend a protest in solidarity with people in Sweida, on July 17, 2025.

Turkey to provide Syria with weapon systems, equipment under new accord

Turkey has been growing impatient with the lack of implementation of a March deal to integrate the SDF into the Syrian state apparatus.

A man walks next to a damaged military vehicle, following deadly clashes between Druze fighters, Sunni Bedouin tribes and government forces, in Syria's predominantly Druze city of Sweida, Syria July 25, 2025

Syrian Kurdish YPG should stop delaying Syria integration, Turkey says

"The YPG/SDF must stop its policy of playing for time," Fidan told a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart Asaad al-Shibani in Ankara.

Members of Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) stand guard as Women’s Protection Unit (YPJ) and Kurdish internal security forces conduct a security operation in al-Roj camp, Syria, April 6, 2025.

Syrian soldier killed in clashes with SDF in Aleppo, state news agency says

In March, the SDF agreed with Syria's Islamist-led government to join state institutions as part of efforts to reunite a country fractured by 14 years of civil war.

Fighters of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) put an SDF flag in al-Omar oil field in Deir Al Zor, Syria March 23, 2019

Syria will not take part in meetings with Kurdish-led SDF in Paris, state TV says

This comes after Syria has struggled to integrate the US-backed group into its military.

 Syrian Kurds make the peace sign as they gather after Turkey's jailed militant leader Abdullah Ocalan called on his Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) to lay down its arms in Hasakah, Syria February 27, 2025.

Turkish foreign minister in Damascus for talks with Syria's Sharaa, source says

NATO member Turkey has emerged as one of Syria's main foreign allies after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad last year.

 Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa looks on as he attends the “Aleppo, Key to Victory” celebration marking Syria’s liberation, in Aleppo, Syria May 27, 2025.

Kurdish-led SDF not complying with Syria integration deal, Turkish source says

Turkey views the US-backed SDF as a terrorist organization and has repeatedly said it expects the group to abide by the deal to disarm and integrate into the Syrian state apparatus.

SYRIAN DEMOCRATIC Forces celebrate the first anniversary of Raqqa province’s liberation from ISIS, in Raqqa, Syria, in October 2018.