SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces)

Main article: Syria

History

2026

Authorities in Damascus offer SDS integration plan

Against the background of the successful advance of the regime's forces in January 2026, the authorities in Damascus handed over a new integration plan to the SDF leadership. Moreover, the current version leaves the Kurds even less room for maneuver.

The plan provides for:

• The entry of SDS fighters into the ranks of the "army" on an individual basis, and not as part of individual units.

• Transfer of all border crossings with Turkey, fields and water infrastructure facilities under regime control

• Withdrawal of Kurdish formations from areas with a predominantly Arab population.

• Establishment of a joint administration in El Hasaka Province and its appointment by the Governor of the current SDF commander Mazloum Abdi.

• Providing members of the leadership of the SDF with high government positions, participation in the work of parliament.

• Ensuring the rights of the Kurds provided for by the decree of the head of the regime, Abu Muhammad al-Juliani (citizenship, preservation of language and national holidays).

Loss of U.S. support and retreat to the eastern shore of Ephrates

In January 2026, there were no combat-ready Kurdish units left west of the Euphrates - all the formations of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDS) crossed the eastern bank of the river by the morning of January 18, and the territories left by them were occupied by the forces of the Abu Muhammad al-Juliani regime.

Although the problems of the Kurds are not limited to this, especially in the province of Deir ez-Zor. Against the backdrop of the success of Abu Muhammad al-Julyani's forces, local Arab tribes were encouraged, and more and more personnel indicate the seizure of vast territories on the eastern bank of the Euphrates with the achievement of Al-Hasakah province.

The formations of the Syrian regime occupied At-Tabka, adding another airfield, as well as surrounding oil and gas fields, to the number of trophies. "Hundreds of Kurds" were allegedly captured.

The regime leadership accused the Kurds of executing prisoners from At Tabqa prison before the SDF retreated to Raqqa.

To prevent al-Julyani's forces from advancing further towards Raqqa, the SDF blew up bridges across the Euphrates. Thus, the Kurds destroyed the water supply, aggravating the humanitarian situation in the city.

In Deir ez-Zor province, regime forces reported that, with tribal support, they captured Konoko, Al-Omar, Et-Tanak and other deposits, and also established full control over the Deir ez-Zor-Raqqa-Aleppo highway. At the same time, the Kurds retreated almost without a fight.

The intervention of the Americans has so far been limited to threats of sanctions against the authorities in Damascus, if they do not stop the offensive. But it looks more like Washington has seen that there are no threats to its plans in Syria and has changed partners on the ground with an easy hand.

We can talk about the collapse of the SDS defense in several directions at once. A special role in this was played by local Arab tribes, who, as expected, changed sides at the moment when the initiative began to move to the al-Julani regime.

A particular blow for the Kurds will be the loss of oil fields on the Euphrates - the very ones that Bashar al-Assad's armies and allies failed to recapture in 2017-2018. Now the SDS has no trump cards left in front of the regime in Damascus.

The Kurdish leadership has declared a general mobilization, and in areas with a predominantly Kurdish population, the SDF may yet fight. Another question, will they want to do this in conditions when Turkey is squeezing from above, the United States is in no hurry to provide support, and there are no other even potential allies left, the Rybar channel wondered?

2025

2023: Arab tribal uprising against SDF Kurds in Zaeufratia

The trigger of the conflict in the summer of 2023 was the detention by the Kurds of fighters of the Deir Ezzor Military Council in July, after which its leader Ahmed al-Habil rebelled. Then the clashes were stopped, but on August 27, the Kurds lured and arrested Al-Habil in Hasek. The units subordinate to him rebelled and began to attack the SDS posts.

At the beginning of September, Arab tribes drove the Kurds out of a dozen settlements in Zaefratiya, and local residents support the speeches. In the north of the country, pro-Turkish groups are also attacking the positions of the Kurds near Manbij in order to prevent them from transferring reinforcements to the rebellious region.

The SDS began to recapture the lost settlements, and they are supported by American aviation.

2022

2017: The left bank of the Euphrates comes under SDF control. The Arrival of the Kurds

In 2017, the left bank of the Euphrates came under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDS) as a result of the collapse of IS in eastern Syria. Kurdish detachments came to the territory with the Arab population, which local tribes consider strangers.

To reduce friction, joint Arab-Kurdish administrations were established in Zaeufratiya with US support. Tribal militias became part of the SDF under the auspices of the Deir Ezzor Military Council, led by Rashid Abu Hawla (Ahmed al-Habil), an enterprising ex-IS militant.

But tensions only grew: the Kurds regularly detained disloyal residents under the pretext of "fighting IS cells." At the same time, Al-Habil, using the patronage of the United States, put extortions on the stream, and his subordinates became involved in high-profile crimes, wrote the Rybar channel.