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Imprisoned terrorist organization PKK ringleader Abdullah Ocalan has reportedly sent a letter to SDF chief Mazlum Abdi calling for the removal of foreign elements from the group, Turkish media outlet Türkiye daily's Yucel Kayaoglu reported Tuesday, citing security sources.
The letter addresses one of Türkiye's key demands in the "Terror-Free Türkiye" process—the expulsion of non-Syrian fighters from the SDF, particularly those of Turkish, Iraqi and Iranian origin.
According to security sources who spoke to Türkiye daily, the issue was discussed during meetings between security officials and Ocalan at Imrali.
Security sources said the SDF has approximately 50,000 members, of whom more than 8,000 are not Syrian.
The 8,000-8,500 non-Syrian group consists largely of Turkish-origin fighters and includes members who came from both northern Iraq and Türkiye.
There is full agreement between Ankara and Damascus that non-Syrian elements must be excluded from the SDF's integration into the Syrian army.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said recently: "We want non-Syrian elements to be removed from the SDF and to leave immediately. All elements positioned against Türkiye's interests and security must be removed."
Under the March 10 agreement between Damascus and the SDF, the integration process was supposed to be completed by the end of this month.
However, security sources said they expect this timeline to slip. "A new integration calendar will be determined, with technical details to be completed to ensure the SDF joins the Syrian army," sources said.
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If the SDF removes these elements, Türkiye will consider this an essential step toward legal measures in the "Terror-Free Türkiye" process, sources said.
"Turkish-origin terrorist organization PKK members removed from the SDF will be able to return to Türkiye if they wish and will be eligible to benefit from upcoming legal regulations," sources added.
This aligns with the anticipated "Reintegration into Society" temporary law expected by March, which would establish a one-year surrender window for PKK members.
Security sources have also established a calendar for camp evacuations:
Sources indicated that there is already some movement in Hakurk and Gara, with cave-clearance operations ongoing.
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