A government source confirmed to Enab Baladi the accuracy of information circulated by Kurdish media about the ongoing integration of members of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the Syrian army, under the agreement signed between the Syrian government and the SDF at the beginning of this year. Government bodies have not yet issued an official announcement regarding these figures.
According to Kurdish media reports, which the government source confirmed to Enab Baladi, the names of about 6,000 SDF members and officers in al-Hasakah governorate and the city of Ain al-Arab (Kobani) have been registered within the ranks of the Syrian army, and they have begun receiving their military salaries.
Batch of Fighters Returns After Training
In a related context, the source confirmed to Enab Baladi what Kurdish media reported about the return of 1,170 SDF fighters to their military bases in Qamishli (northeastern Syria), after they completed a military training course at al-Nabek camp in Rural Damascus governorate.
The same outlets added that preparations are still underway to form new brigades in al-Hasakah and al-Malikiyah, as part of a plan to reorganize the forces being integrated into the Syrian army. The government source confirmed to Enab Baladi that this information was accurate.
Three Brigades Within the 60th Division
According to Kurdish media reports, the current measures are part of implementing the agreement concluded between the Syrian government and the SDF on January 29, which provides for the deployment of three SDF brigades in military bases in al-Hasakah and Qamishli, within the framework of the Syrian army’s 60th Division.
According to the same information, these brigades will be deployed at the Kawkab and Qasrak bases in al-Hasakah, Tartab base in Qamishli, and al-Malikiyah Battalion, while another brigade in the city of Ain al-Arab will be affiliated with the military force of Aleppo governorate.
More SDF Members Expected to Join
Kurdish media also reported that the number of SDF members set to join the Syrian army is expected to rise in the coming period, as registration continues and the formation of the brigades is completed.
According to the reported information, completing the formation of the brigades whose membership lists were sent to Damascus will require about three months, while members of these brigades receive training at a military academy near Damascus. Brigade and battalion commanders are undergoing training courses at the Military College in the city of Homs (central Syria).
Circulated Figures on SDF Fighter Distribution
Kurdish media also reported that the number of SDF fighters reached about 20,000 after the military changes in areas of northeastern Syria at the beginning of this year.
According to the same information, 4,000 fighters joined the Internal Security Forces, while 5,000 joined the three military brigades currently being formed. About 1,000 fighters from Afrin returned with their families to their city, while about 2,000 other fighters are awaiting completion of return procedures. The government source confirmed to Enab Baladi that this information was accurate.
Integration Agreement Ongoing Since February
This comes in the context of the agreement signed between the Syrian government and the SDF, following the military changes in areas of northeastern Syria at the beginning of this year. The Syrian army advanced and took control of Raqqa and Deir Ezzor governorates and parts of al-Hasakah governorate, while the SDF retreated to the remaining areas of al-Hasakah governorate.
The agreement provides for integrating the military and security forces affiliated with the SDF into the Syrian Ministries of Defense and Interior, along with integrating service and administrative institutions affiliated with the Autonomous Administration into state institutions. The process began in February and is still continuing in phases.
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