Sipan Hemo, a member of the General Command of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and a member of the military committee negotiating with the Damascus government, confirmed that the SDF is ready to join the new Syrian Army to be formed—but only if the integration is carried out on the basis of respect for the SDF’s identity, struggle, and sacrifices, and if the rights of all components of the Syrian people are preserved without exception. He emphasized that the next steps of the Damascus government will determine whether the integration process will accelerate, slow down, or even freeze.
In a lengthy interview with the SDF Media Center, Hemo provided a comprehensive overview of the SDF’s vision regarding the ongoing negotiations with the Damascus government, discussing the obstacles facing the integration process since the signing of the March 10, 2025, agreement. He stressed that the SDF will remain a unified national force defending all Syrians until a just, democratic system is achieved.
The text of the interview is as follows:
The Launch of Dialogues with Damascus
On behalf of the Syrian Democratic Forces, I salute all components of northern and eastern Syria, and Syria in general. As you know, a series of meetings and dialogues have taken place between us and the Damascus government, and the term integration has been introduced into the negotiation framework since the March 10 agreement.
Since the founding of the Syrian Democratic Forces, we have struggled for a fundamental goal: building a democratic Syria based on participation and guaranteeing the rights of all components of the Syrian people without discrimination or exclusion. For this goal, our forces were founded and continue to adhere to it. They have fought fierce battles against the terrorist organization ISIS and all aggressors, making enormous sacrifices to achieve this goal.
SDF: A Political and Social Project Before Being a Military Force
The Syrian Democratic Forces are not merely a military formation; rather, they are forces with a clear political and social vision. From the outset, they declared their struggle against marginalization, dictatorship, and injustice—and have continued that struggle steadfastly.
This struggle persisted until the fall of the Ba’athist regime, after which an interim government was formed, based on Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham. On March 10, 2025, an agreement was signed with Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, and since then, we have engaged in direct dialogue to discuss ways to implement that agreement.
Integration is Necessary to Build the New Syrian Army
We seek integration into the future Syrian army and believe that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) form the foundation for building the new national army. In fact, a truly national Syrian army cannot be built without the participation of the SDF. In this context, we have declared our readiness to join the new army, and this remains our strategic goal.
In recent periods, our forces have been accused of obstructing or delaying the integration process. These allegations are completely untrue and unfounded.
On the contrary, we are eager to join the new army, but some parties are attempting to interpret the integration process through narrow visions that remain captive to the mentality of the former regime.
These parties seek to eliminate our forces or erase their political, social, and administrative identity—something we will absolutely not accept, as such attempts cannot be described as patriotic or aligned with legitimate national objectives.
We emphasize that the integration we seek must preserve the identity of the SDF and respect its struggle. We are not only referring to North and East Syria but to all Syrian components that should participate in building the new Syria: Sunnis, Druze, Christians, Kurds, and Alawites.
If the rights of even one component are not recognized, Syria will not yet have been freed from the injustice it has long suffered.
Last Damascus Meeting: Positive Atmosphere Needs Results on the Ground
During the last meeting in Damascus, a positive atmosphere prevailed with our participation, along with that of the Ministry of Defense and several U.S. officials.
However, no tangible results were achieved, and the outcomes were limited to verbal promises and general statements of intent without clear, written agreements.
We emphasized the need to translate the positive atmosphere into practical steps on the ground.
Obstacles to Trust and Reassurance
During the meeting, we discussed the mechanisms for integrating the Syrian Democratic Forces into the Syrian Army. We elaborated on the reasons and motivations behind the formation and struggle of the SDF, and we explicitly stated that the reasons that led to its formation still exist.
For the integration process to succeed, the root causes of the threats facing our people in northern and eastern Syria must be addressed.
In our view, the Interim Government remains unable to instill reassurance and security among the various components and has not taken serious steps to alleviate fears.
Recently, we have witnessed disastrous policies by the government and its forces, manifested in mass killings targeting Alawites and Druze, in addition to widespread security chaos across the country.
These practices pose a serious challenge to the SDF’s integration efforts and underscore the urgent need for our forces to continue protecting our people. Here, we ask: What positive, tangible steps has the Interim Government taken to support the integration process in light of these violations?
The Sheikh Maqsoud Attack and New Concerns
At a time when we are discussing the integration of the SDF, the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood in Aleppo was subjected to a siege and attack—despite the March 10 agreement under which our forces withdrew from the area.
Nevertheless, factions affiliated with the Damascus government attacked the besieged neighborhood, attempting to replicate what happened in Sweida and on the coast, attacking the area from ten fronts.
Had it not been for the steadfastness and resistance of the residents—based on their previous experience between 2013 and 2016—the catastrophe would have been even greater.
These attacks raise many questions and concerns and completely contradict the propaganda suggesting that the situation is going well.
Therefore, positive rhetoric must be transformed into practical steps that inspire reassurance—not actions that generate tension and problems, as is currently the case.
Exclusion from Decision-Making Institutions
We have repeatedly emphasized that the exclusion of Syrian communities—especially our people in northern and eastern Syria—from dialogue conferences, constitution drafting, lawmaking, and government formation represents a real problem for us.
The other side must realize that disregarding the will of Syrian communities will prevent the current government from being representative of all Syrians.
No government or army can be respected unless all communities participate in its construction.
Syria will not be a homeland for all without the participation of all, and we will not allow a repetition of the exclusionary policies that Syrians have suffered for decades.
The presence of the SDF is essential for protecting Syria and its communities.
We emphasize that our presence within the Syrian Army is a prerequisite for overcoming the current crisis and protecting all communities.
However, this integration must be based on mutual respect and partnership—not on the vision of some parties in Damascus, who base their plans on exclusion and liquidation.
Therefore, dialogue will continue, and addressing our people’s concerns will remain the foundation of any action we take.
As long as the current government does not take real measures to reassure Syrian communities, the SDF will remain the force defending the existence, lives, and identity of our people against any threat.
The Timeline of the Integration Process
We explained to officials in Damascus that accelerating the integration process depends on their positions and next steps regarding the rights of all communities and on opening the door to national partnership.
Their next steps will determine whether the integration process will accelerate, slow down, or even freeze.
We presented one clear example they could pursue to prepare the ground for the SDF’s integration—namely, the Afrin issue. We emphasized that the return of displaced Afrin residents, compensation for those affected, and holding accountable those responsible for violations are key indicators of the government’s seriousness in building a national army.
We told them that their position on Afrin will be the true benchmark for their stance on other issues in North and East Syria, and in Syria as a whole.
If you act justly toward Afrin, address the injustices, and pave the way for the return of the displaced, then the Interim Government can be viewed differently—not only regarding Afrin, but for all of Syria.
SDF: A Unifying National Force
We have reiterated that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are a national Syrian force and the only force capable of communicating and coordinating with all Syrian components—Sunnis, Kurds, Druze, Alawites, Christians, and even the government in Damascus.
We are prepared to be the core of the new Syrian Army and a guarantee for correcting the country’s political and military course.
Through their struggle and policies, our forces have proven the success of their national project in preserving Syria’s geographic and social unity at a time when the country was torn apart by sectarianism and divisions.
This is why the SDF enjoys widespread respect among all Syrian components.
A Message to the Components of North and East Syria
Since the founding of the People’s Protection Units (YPG), and later the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), we have sacrificed thousands of martyrs in defense of our people and in pursuit of building a shared homeland for all Syrians.
We have achieved great accomplishments and will continue to achieve further gains worthy of our people’s sacrifices.
Today, we live in safety and stability in our regions thanks to the SDF, while the rest of Syria suffers from chaos and daily killings.
Therefore, we must preserve what we have achieved and confront all conspiracies and challenges.
We hope that the security we are experiencing will spread throughout all regions of Syria—from Sweida to the coast, and from the interior to the north—based on tolerance, coexistence, and generosity.
Our people must trust their forces and fighters, knowing that they will not hesitate for a moment to defend them and will continue their struggle no matter how severe the challenges.
We call on everyone to be vigilant against the attempts of enemies seeking to undermine our cohesion and implement their destructive plans.
I especially mention the people of Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa, who must realize that the Syrian Democratic Forces, which sacrificed thousands of martyrs to liberate them from ISIS terrorism, will continue to defend them and represent them in Damascus in a manner befitting their sacrifices.