Fidan says SDF declaration positive, action must follow

ELAZIĞ

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has welcomed a declaration by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to dissolve, while saying Türkiye would verify whether the move is implemented on the ground.

“The statement made in Damascus is positive in terms of its wording, but it would be highly positive if it happens in practice as stated,” Fidan told reporters on Aug. 26 in the eastern province of Elazığ.

In a televised speech at the presidential palace in Damascus on Aug. 25, SDF commander Mazloum Abdi announced the “end of the mission of the group and its dissolution as an independent military force.”

“Our job is to act professionally and check its practical implementation on the ground,” Fidan said.

He described the announcement as a welcome development that “complements the steps Türkiye is seeking to take in the region.”

“It could be one of the developments that most serves the preparation of an environment in which Kurdish and Arab brotherhood in Syria is strengthened and all Syrians can look to the future with confidence,” he said.

Fidan said Türkiye wants problems in its neighbor to be resolved through “mutual understanding and dialogue” in the new period.

“We underline the importance of protecting the identity of Kurds while ensuring that Syria’s national unity, sovereign integrity and territorial integrity are not undermined,” he said.

Fidan also expressed hope that an environment without terrorism and armed conflict would accelerate regional development.

At a weekly briefing on Aug. 27, Turkish defense authorities also welcomed the SDF declaration, calling it an important development in strengthening the principle of “one state, one army.”

“The Turkish Armed Forces will continue their support, within the framework of the existing military cooperation agreement, to extending the positive momentum achieved in Syria across the country, making stability permanent and improving the capabilities of the Syrian army, particularly in the fight against terrorism,” Defense Ministry officials were quoted as saying by local media.

The developments come as Türkiye presses ahead with an anti-terrorism campaign at home following a ceasefire declaration by PKK and its announcement that it would disband and lay down its arms. The backbone of the SDF is YPG, which Ankara views as a direct extension of PKK.

Turkish sources said the SDF had also handed over strategic facilities, including border gates, airports and oil fields, to the Damascus administration under an agreement between the two sides.

They said some senior SDF officials had been offered positions in the Syrian government, while negotiations between the group and Damascus had also addressed Kurdish demands for constitutional status, rights and related issues.

Talks between the SDF and Damascus began after Bashar al-Assad’s government’s fall and the establishment of an interim administration under President Ahmad al-Sharaa in late 2025.

The two sides agreed in March 2025 on principles for integrating SDF forces, which later developed into an agreement in early 2026.