Defence Minister: Syria's Northeast Forces Exempt From Ministry's Integration Deadline

Reuters

Syria’s Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra.

Syria’s Defence Minister confirmed that the recent deadline issued for the integration of armed groups into the Ministry of Defence does not apply to Kurdish-led forces in northeast Syria (Rojava), as that region is governed by a separate agreement.

“The deadline we announced does not include northeast Syria, because the northeast Syria file is governed by a separate agreement to be implemented by the Ministry of Defence,” Syria’s Defence Minister  Murhaf Abu Qasra told the state's Al-Ikhbariya channel on Monday, 26 May 2025.

Qasra was referring to the landmark agreement signed on 10 March 2025 between Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Commander Mazloum Abdi. The agreement outlines the gradual integration of the SDF into the national military structure, formally recognises the Kurdish people as an integral part of Syria, establishes a nationwide ceasefire, and calls for the return of displaced citizens to their hometowns.

The minister clarified that the current integration order applies to "several small groups present in various provinces." He stated: “We gave them this deadline—ten days—to consult with the Ministry of Defence and begin the process of integration.”

He emphasised that “no group will be allowed to operate outside the authority of the Ministry of Defence,” asserting the government’s commitment to building a national army based on a “unified military doctrine.”

“We are working to close the gap between the military and the people,” Qasra added.

He further stated that his ministry met with approximately 130 factions to discuss the new army structure and achieved significant success in integrating them under the ministry. "The ministry is collaborating with the Interior Ministry to pursue remnants of the former Bashar al-Assad regime, confiscate weapons, restrict arms to state control, and prevent abuses against Syrians," Abu Qasra added.

The deadline, initially announced on 17 May 2025, mandates that all unincorporated armed groups either disband or formally integrate with the national defence forces by Tuesday, 27 May 2025—a move aimed at unifying the country’s military structure within a cohesive institutional framework.

The announcement comes during a period of major political transition in Syria. President Bashar al-Assad, who ruled the country for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on 8 December 2024, bringing an end to the Baath Party’s decades-long rule since 1963. Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led opposition forces in toppling the Assad regime, was declared transitional president in January 2025.



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