Syria’s new defense minister, Murhaf Abu Qasra, has stated that the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) cannot maintain its own military bloc within the Syrian armed forces. Abu Qasra’s remarks reflect the challenges in unifying Syria’s fragmented factions under a single command.
The SDF, which governs a semi-autonomous region in northeastern Syria, has proposed integrating into the Defense Ministry while maintaining its structure as an independent bloc. However, Abu Qasra firmly dismissed this idea, saying that if the SDF wants to be part of the Defense Ministry, it will need to follow hierarchy rules.
Abu Qasra aims to consolidate Syria’s numerous factions into a unified military structure by March 1. The SDF’s integration is seen as a security threat by Turkey and supported by the US as a vital ally against ISIS.
The defense minister has faced criticism for granting ranks to foreign fighters, including Egyptians and Jordanians. Abu Qasra defended the decision, citing Syria’s urgency in addressing security concerns during the transitional government’s limited term.
Abu Qasra was appointed on December 21, following Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham’s offensive that toppled Bashar Assad on December 8. The SDF’s integration into the Defense Ministry remains contentious and is seen as a challenge for Abu Qasra to overcome in his efforts to unify Syria’s factions.
Source: https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-838288