Kurdish forces in Syria face a critical crossroads as U.S. troops begin withdrawing from northeastern Syria, leaving them vulnerable to Turkish aggression and forced to consider merging with the Syrian government they’ve long opposed.
At a Glance
- The U.S. has reduced troops in Syria from 2,000 to 1,400, with plans to decrease further below 1,000
- The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) control oil-rich northeastern Syria and have been key U.S. allies against ISIS since 2015
- Turkey views the SDF as terrorists due to connections with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party
- The Syrian government is proposing integration of SDF fighters into national security forces
- Kurdish aspirations for regional autonomy are opposed by both Damascus and Ankara
U.S. Withdrawal Threatens Long-Standing Alliance
After nearly a decade of military deployment in Syria, the United States has begun scaling back its presence, creating significant uncertainty for its Kurdish allies. American forces have already decreased from 2,000 to approximately 1,400 troops, with further reductions planned to bring the total below 1,000. This drawdown signals a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy that could have dramatic consequences for the region’s stability and the future of Kurdish-controlled territories in northeastern Syria.
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have been crucial partners in American counter-terrorism operations since 2015, playing a central role in the fight against ISIS. Their control over northeastern Syria—a region rich in energy resources and agricultural land—has provided them with some leverage in Syria’s complex political landscape. However, this position increasingly appears precarious as U.S. support wanes and regional powers hostile to Kurdish autonomy grow more assertive.
What is Going on in Syria? – A Strategic and Geopolitical Analysis of its Implications for the Kurdistan Region and Iraq
1.
Until very recently, Assad was presumed to have won the Syrian civil war, and many had turned the page as Syrian rebels were squeezed into a diminishing… pic.twitter.com/DWGHMWM5o0— Kurdistan Watch (@KurdistanWatch) December 4, 2024
Caught Between Turkey and Damascus
The SDF faces existential threats from multiple directions. Turkey, a NATO member and regional power, considers the Kurdish forces terrorists due to their ties with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state for decades. Ankara has conducted multiple military operations against Kurdish positions in Syria and continues to threaten further incursions. The looming potential of Turkish military action has pushed the SDF to consider previously unthinkable political compromises.
Meanwhile, the Syrian government under interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa sees an opportunity to reassert control over the country’s northeast. Damascus has proposed integrating SDF fighters into Syria’s national security apparatus—a suggestion that challenges Kurdish aspirations for regional autonomy but might provide some protection against Turkish aggression. An agreement has reportedly been signed to merge SDF fighters into Syria’s security forces, though specific details remain unclear.
How Trump’s Administration Left Faithful Allies in Danger and Empowered Radical Forces That Undermined America.
(Clarifying That Mr. Donald Trump Deserves The Presidency. This is coming and with great responsibilities, these needs to be fixed)
From January 2017 until today,… pic.twitter.com/rUdg49hWPY
— Παππάς Α. Σπυρίδων (@spappasa) May 4, 2025
The Path Forward: Integration or Autonomy?
SDF commanders have expressed willingness to negotiate with Damascus, proposing integration into the Syrian Ministry of Defense as a “military bloc” while maintaining some form of decentralized administration. This approach reflects the difficult balance Kurdish leaders must strike—securing protection from external threats while preserving as much political autonomy as possible. The SDF’s push for a federalized state structure similar to Iraqi Kurdistan represents their preferred outcome but faces strong opposition.
The Impact of Russian Military Drawdown on Iranian Influence in Syria
Russia's military drawdown from parts of Syria due to its intensified focus on the Ukraine war has created a significant power vacuum, which Iran has been quick to exploit. This shift has not only enabled Iran…
— Niels Groeneveld (@nigroeneveld) June 23, 2024
Both the Syrian government and Turkey firmly reject Kurdish autonomy proposals, insisting on the territorial integrity of a unified Syrian state. This shared position creates a formidable obstacle to Kurdish aspirations and severely limits their negotiating power. Any agreement between the SDF and Damascus is likely to be unstable due to these fundamental differences in vision for Syria’s future governance structure. The United States, while historically supportive of the Kurds, appears increasingly inclined to back the consolidation of the Syrian state under al-Sharaa’s transitional government.
For the SDF and the Kurdish communities they represent, the future holds significant challenges regardless of which path they choose. Integration with Damascus risks the dilution of Kurdish identity and political influence, while continued pursuit of autonomy without U.S. protection exposes them to military threats from Turkey and marginalization by a strengthening Syrian central government.
