US says SDF's integration into Syrian army key to stability in region

WASHINGTON

The US sees the integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) with Syrian government forces as essential to creating a more predictable and stable security environment, the head of US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Wednesday.

Speaking virtually at the Washington-based Middle East Institute’s Syria conference, Adm. Brad Cooper noted the March 10 agreement for integration and that Washington “stands ready to support” ongoing talks, including through recent engagements in Damascus.

“SDF's successful integration with the Syrian government forces will lead to a more predictable and stable security environment,” he said about the group that is dominated by the YPG, the Syrian branch of the PKK terror group.

“The United States and Syria have a shared interest in preserving peace and stability across the Middle East,” he added.

Cooper outlined three core lines of effort for CENTCOM, including the “aggressive pursuit” of ISIS (Daesh) in Syria, supporting the integration of the SDF, which is dominated by the YPG terror group and coordinating with Damascus to reinforce counterterrorism operations.

“Cooperation with our Syrian partners is imperative to our collective success,” he said.

He added that the US has increasingly cooperated with the Syrian government, including joint operations that destroyed ISIS weapon sites and interdicted weapons that he said were intended for the Lebanese resistance group Hezbollah.

Marking one year since the fall of Bashar al-Assad, Cooper said the US remains “committed to the work ahead” and “laser focused” on protecting its forces, defending the homeland and ensuring the enduring defeat of ISIS.

He also pointed to progress in reducing the population of the Al-Hol and Al-Roj camps, noting the number of residents has fallen from more than 70,000 to 26,000 in the last two years.

The two displaced persons camps in Syria’s Al-Hasakah province, run by the YPG/PKK-led SDF, accommodate families of ISIS (Daesh) terrorists who fled eastern Deir ez-Zor province due to fighting. The UN and humanitarian organizations have repeatedly raised concerns about conditions in the facilities.

On March 10, the Syrian presidency announced the signing of an agreement for the SDF’s integration into state institutions, reaffirming the country's territorial unity and rejecting any attempts at division.

Syrian authorities said in the ensuing months, the SDF has not shown any efforts to meet the terms of the agreement.

The Syrian government has been intensifying security efforts since the ouster of Assad after 24 years in power.