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The Syrian government has begun military operation preparations against areas controlled by the SDF, according to Turkish journalist Abdulkadir Selvi, as tensions escalated with the death of a Syrian soldier in clashes between government forces and the SDF in Aleppo.
According to the Syrian state news agency SANA, one Syrian soldier was killed in fighting between government forces and the SDF in Aleppo.
Selvi, writing for Hurriyet on Wednesday, reported that Syria's military buildup follows the SDF's failure to implement an eight-point agreement signed with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa on March 10.
A statement from the Defense Ministry's media office emphasized that the SDF must comply with agreements signed with the Syrian state and stop provocations targeting military personnel and residents in Aleppo city and its eastern countryside.
The statement underlined that different consequences could occur if such actions continue.
"But the SDF has not fulfilled any of its commitments so far. On the contrary, it has started to establish relations with Israel and France and put forward new conditions. The SDF's attitude has started to overflow patience," Selvi wrote.
The agreement required the SDF to integrate into the Syrian army by year's end and transfer the Tishrin Dam along with border crossings, airports, and oil and natural gas fields to the Syrian government.
According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an SDF delegation came to Damascus to negotiate preventing military escalation on the front lines. According to local sources, no common ground was found in the discussions.
An agreement was signed between the Damascus administration and the SDF in March, bringing the integration of the SDF along with civilian administration into the Syrian government onto the agenda.
However, no progress has been made in the discussions held since that day.
Meanwhile, Jordan's King Abdullah II discussed developments in Syria with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani and U.S. Ambassador to Ankara and Syria Special Representative Tom Barrack.
A meeting focused on Syria's security was held between the foreign ministers of Jordan and Syria and U.S. Special Representative for Syria Tom Barrack.
The process also envisioned the SDF laying down arms and integrating into the Syrian army, with completion expected by year's end.
Instead, the SDF established relations with Israel and France while presenting new conditions.
"The Syrian government has started military operation preparations against the areas controlled by the SDF. Upon this, the SDF sent a delegation headed by Ilham Ahmed to Damascus," Selvi reported.
The SDF sent a delegation led by Ilham Ahmed to Damascus to halt the military operation. However, Selvi reported that patience is running out in the Syrian administration.
"Mazlum Abdi had signed an eight-point agreement with President Ahmad al-Sharaa on March 10. According to the agreement, the SDF would be integrated into the Syrian army by the end of the year. The Tishrin Dam, border crossings, airports, and oil and natural gas fields were to be transferred to the Syrian government," Selvi wrote.
The Syrian administration requires control over SDF-controlled areas to ensure internal integrity and find resources. Syria's largest source of income—oil and natural gas fields—remains under SDF control.
"The Tishrin Dam has strategic importance as it meets Aleppo's water needs. The transfer of the airport, border crossings, and customs to the Syrian administration is considered important in terms of sovereignty rights," Selvi wrote.
Türkiye could organize a comprehensive military operation against the SDF together with the Syrian administration, with this option always remaining on the table. Selvi outlined Türkiye's policy, which can be summarized as follows:
"1-Not harming the PKK's decision to lay down arms and liquidate. 2-The U.S.'s positive attitude regarding the SDF laying down arms and integrating into the Syrian army. 3-Efforts are being made to complete the process without the need for military action due to the determination of the Syrian government."
"The SDF is trying to gain time and get the federation condition accepted with Israel's support. It is impossible for this to be accepted. Because both Türkiye and the Syrian administration are determined on this issue," he wrote.
U.S. Ambassador to Ankara and Syria Special Representative Tom Barrack had stated that Syria would be a unitary state and that they had not promised federation to the SDF.
"No one should underestimate the power of the Syrian administration. As a result of the operation they started from Aleppo on November 27, they entered Damascus within 15 days and overthrew the Assad regime. On December 8, they took over the administration of Syria," Selvi noted.
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