Farhad Shami, the spokesman for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), stated that reaching an agreement with Damascus is not an easy process and that there are still several obstacles to the talk, noting that in January talks, Damascus asked for the dissolution of the SDF. 

Speaking in an interview with Channel8, Shami emphasized that Damascus government officials have insisted on the complete dissolution of the SDF and autonomous administration during a series of meetings and gatherings last month.

“The Syrian government told us that the autonomous administration must not remain, and we will go to all the areas; if you do not accept, we will eliminate you,” he remarked. 

‘We Were Told to Surrender’

Shami revealed some demands of the Syrian government during the talks, saying, “We were told to surrender, dissolve the SDF, and then any member of the SDF who wants to join the Syrian army will be accepted after passing an examination."

The General Command of the SDF has rejected these demands of Damascus, he added.

Following weeks of intense fighting in Aleppo's Kurdish-majority areas between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Syrian government factions, as well as months of diplomatic efforts to achieve a breakthrough, both sides announced a comprehensive ceasefire agreement in late January. The agreement aims to initiate administrative and military integrations in the region.

SDF General Commander Mazloum Abdi said yesterday that with Damascus they reached an understanding that the characteristics of the Kurdish regions must be preserved and only the region’s residents will be responsible for managing security, with no outsiders overseeing its security matters.

Damascus Sets Conditions for SDF Fighters’ Future

Regarding the fate of the fighters, Shami indicated that Damascus has set a condition: any fighter who wants to become a soldier must pass an examination. After the examination, they are evaluated for 3 months, and then a decision on their acceptance is made. 

He highlighted that SDF fighters have over 10 years of combat experience and have requested that the men and women remain as a single force.

Shami Reveals U.S. Intervention to Halt Attacks on Western Kurdistan

Shami further uncovered the secret to halting the attacks on the Western Kurdistan (Rojava), saying that towards the end of the ceasefire period, U.S. President Donald Trump contacted Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and told him that the United States has interests in the Middle East and that this war does not align with their interests.

Thus, Trump stated that the confrontations must be stopped, Shami said

The spokesman added that Trump also sent the same message to the SDF, with SDF affirming they would be on the defensive and would not initiate an attack.