{"id":136719,"date":"2026-04-05T09:56:02","date_gmt":"2026-04-05T09:56:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/npasyria.com\/en\/?p=136719"},"modified":"2026-04-05T09:56:03","modified_gmt":"2026-04-05T09:56:03","slug":"debate-over-ypj-integration-tests-syria-sdf-agreement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/npasyria.com\/en\/136719\/","title":{"rendered":"Debate over YPJ integration tests Syria\u2013SDF agreement"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) \u2013<\/strong> The future role of the Women\u2019s Protection Units (YPJ) within Syria\u2019s defense structures has emerged as a key unresolved issue in implementing the January 29 agreement between the Syrian transitional government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Founded in 2013 as an all-women military force, the YPJ later joined the SDF after its formation in 2015 and gained prominence during battles against ISIS, particularly in Kobani.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Calls for integration and recognition<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sozdar Haji, a YPJ commander, told North Press that the sacrifices made by female fighters \u201cmust not be overlooked,\u201d stressing that they should have a role in any future Syrian army.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe gained extensive military experience during the fight against ISIS, and we have the right to be part of a Syrian army that includes all components,\u201d she said, describing the unit as both a military and societal organization that contributes to the safety and freedom of women and the broader community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On April 2, a YPJ delegation visited Damascus and met with Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra to discuss mechanisms for implementing the agreement. The unit said the minister showed \u201cflexibility\u201d in continuing dialogue on women\u2019s participation in the military institution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Government reservations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Syrian government, however, has expressed reservations about granting the women\u2019s formation an independent status within the army. Instead, it has proposed integrating YPJ members into internal security forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ahmed al-Hilali, spokesperson for the presidential team overseeing integration, previously said the government welcomes benefiting from the YPJ\u2019s experience and supports their inclusion in the women\u2019s police units, without forming a separate military entity inside the army.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Women\u2019s support and constitutional demands<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Women\u2019s rights activist Ramziya Mohammed said the YPJ experience could serve as a model for Syrian women and called for ensuring its role within a future constitutional framework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to estimates, women make up between 35 and 40 percent of the SDF, highlighting a significant female presence within the force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Observers say the YPJ\u2019s battlefield experience and role in counterterrorism strengthen calls for its integration into any future military structure, raising questions over whether the issue could delay the full implementation of the agreement signed by Syrian Transitional President Ahmad al\u2011Sharaa and SDF Commander-in-Chief Mazloum Abdi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>By Nalin Ali<\/strong><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) \u2013 The future role of the Women\u2019s Protection Units (YPJ) within Syria\u2019s defense structures has emerged as a key unresolved issue in implementing the January 29 agreement between the Syrian transitional government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Founded in 2013 as an all-women military force, the YPJ later joined the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":136720,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pgc_sgb_lightbox_settings":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[39,10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-136719","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-home","category-reports"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Debate over YPJ integration tests Syria\u2013SDF agreement<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) \u2013 The future role of the Women\u2019s Protection Units (YPJ) within Syria\u2019s defense structures has emerged as a key unresolved\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, 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