Canada welcomes SDF integration into Syrian state
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Canada on Friday welcomed the agreement to integrate the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into Syrian state institutions, describing it as an important step toward building a united, peaceful and inclusive Syria.
In a statement published by Canada Foreign Affairs on Friday, Ottawa said it encouraged the implementation of the agreement “in a manner that respects the rights and aspirations of all Syrians.”
Canada’s remarks came as international reactions continued following the SDF’s dissolution and its integration into Syrian state institutions, a major development in Syria’s political and military transition. The agreement has also been welcomed by several regional and international actors as a step toward strengthening stability and national unity.
The integration process marks a significant shift for the SDF, which for years served as the main military force in northeastern Syria and was a key partner of the U.S.-led Global Coalition in the fight against the Islamic State group (ISIS).
The SDF announced its dissolution on Aug. 25 as part of an agreement to merge its forces into the Syrian military. The move followed months of negotiations and broader efforts to bring military and civilian institutions in northeastern Syria under the authority of the central government in Damascus.
Canada emphasized that the success of the agreement should not only contribute to Syria’s territorial and political unity but also ensure respect for the rights and aspirations of the country’s diverse communities.
The statement reflects growing international support for a political settlement that addresses the status of Kurdish communities and other groups while advancing Syria’s transition toward greater stability after years of conflict.
The Syrian Democratic Forces were established in 2015 as a multi-ethnic military alliance led primarily by Kurdish forces. With support from the U.S.-led Coalition, the SDF played a central role in the territorial defeat of ISIS in Syria and later controlled large parts of the country’s northeast.
The integration agreement is expected to reshape the political and security landscape in northeastern Syria, although questions remain over the implementation of commitments related to representation, local administration and the rights of Syria’s Kurdish population and other communities.