US military report warns of challenges to Syrian control, SDF relations
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Syrian transitional government’s ability to consolidate control across the country remains a concern for the United States, according to the latest report from Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) presented to Congress.
Citing assessments from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), the report stated that while Damascus “at least nominally” controls most territory outside the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)-held northeast, armed minority groups and opposition factions—including some Alawite, Druze, and al-Qaeda-linked militants—remain beyond government authority.
The DIA warned that members aligned with al-Qaeda continue to operate under the umbrella of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), allowing former Hurras al-Din militants freedom of movement.
It also noted that al-Qaeda is likely to seek influence over the government’s future composition and policies.
The report highlighted ongoing weaknesses in command and control within the Syrian military, particularly among units accused of atrocities in the western coastal region in March.
At least 3,000 foreign fighters are believed to serve in Syrian government forces, with the largest contingent being Uyghur militants from western China and Central Asia.
The report mentioned that Washington condemned the appointment of Ahmad Ihsan Fayyad al-Hayes—leader of the Turkish-backed Ahrar al-Sharqiya group and sanctioned by the US in 2021 for human rights abuses—as commander of the Syrian Army’s Division 86.
The division is tasked with operations in SDF-governed areas of Deir ez-Zor, Hasakah, and Raqqa, prompting strong criticism from Kurdish leaders. The DIA assessed the move would deepen SDF mistrust of Damascus but have little practical effect on current relations.
The report also noted the convening of the first Kurdish national conference in Qamishli in April, attended by around 400 representatives from Syria, the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and Turkey, as well as SDF Commander General Mazloum Abdi.
The OIR’s report added that U.S. policy continues to support a political transition in Syria that includes meaningful representation from minority communities and non-sectarian governance as a path to avoiding further conflict.
The OIR stressed that its forces maintained their partnership with the SDF in counter-ISIS operations in northeastern Syria, saying that the SDF and the Internal Security Forces of North and East Syria (Asayish) remained effective in maintaining security despite regional instability.
The report also said Turkey has consistently conveyed its intention to remove the SDF from its border region, either through military action or integration into the Syrian Army. It assessed that Ankara is unlikely to act against the SDF as long as negotiations with Damascus toward potential integration continue.