- CENTCOM advocates SDF-government force integration.
- Integration aims to ensure stable security.
- Seeks to create predictable security environment.
Speaking virtually at the Syria conference hosted by the Middle East Institute in Washington, Adm. Brad Cooper mentioned the integration agreement reached on March 10 and stated that Washington "stands ready to support" ongoing negotiations, particularly recent engagements in Damascus.
“SDF, 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.
The "aggressive pursuit" of ISIS (Daesh) in Syria, assisting the integration of the SDF, which is dominated by the terror group YPG, and collaborating with Damascus to strengthen counterterrorism operations are the three main areas of focus for CENTCOM, according to Cooper.
Cooper stated that the US is still "laser concentrated" on securing its forces, defending the country, and guaranteeing the long- term defeat of ISIS on the anniversary of Bashar al-Assad's downfall.
Additionally, he noted that the number of people living in the Al-Hol and Al-Roj camps has decreased from over 70,000 to 26,000 in the past two years.
Families of ISIS (Daesh) terrorists who fled eastern Deir ez-Zor province due to fighting are housed in two camps for displaced people in Syria's Al-Hasakah province, which are administered by the YPG/PKK-led SDF. Concerns over the facilities' conditions have been voiced by the UN and humanitarian groups on several occasions.
Reiterating the nation's geographical unity and denouncing any attempts at fragmentation, the Syrian presidency said on March 10 that an agreement for the SDF's absorption into state institutions had been signed.
According to Syrian authorities, the SDF has not made any attempts to fulfill the agreement's requirements in the months that have passed.
Since Assad was overthrown after 24 years in office, the Syrian administration has been stepping up security measures.
How will integration affect control of oil fields and borders?
Integration of the SDF into Syrian state structures would probably formalise control over oil painting fields and borders under the marquee of the Damascus ‑ led transitional authorities, but with negotiated places for SDF units in their home areas. This would not exclude competition over coffers and frontier access, but it could conduct it into political and regulatory arenas rather than open fortified battle.
In the US vision, the legal title to major oil painting and gas means in the northeast would return easily to the Syrian state, ending the current nebulosity where the SDF and its mercenary sect de facto manage product and profit.
Still, sanctioned border posts with Iraq and along the Turkish frontier would come under a unified public chain of command, which could reduce ad hoc original arrangements and informal taxation by different regulars, If integration proceeds.