Over 1,500 Kurdish Female Fighters Struggle for Military Status in Syria
Following the dissolution of the SDF and its integration into the Syrian army, the future of 1,500 female fighters from the YPJ remains uncertain as Damascus refuses to enlist women into regular military ranks.
The Women's Protection Units (YPJ), which became a global symbol of the fight against ISIS in Syria, are currently negotiating with the new government in Damascus to preserve their military status. Following the official dissolution of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and their integration into the Syrian army, the future of more than 1,500 female Kurdish fighters remains highly uncertain.
While male fighters from the SDF are expected to be absorbed into the Ministry of Defense and the new Syrian army, women face legal barriers as female soldiers do not currently serve in the Syrian military. YPJ Commander Nowruz Ahmed told Reuters that during her meetings with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, it was made clear that there is no place for female fighters within the ranks of the regular army.
Demands for an Independent Military Unit
The female fighters are requesting to integrate into the military as an organized, separate unit to preserve their structure and operational experience.
Nowruz Ahmed stated:
"We wanted to join the army because our forces have the experience that would allow them to protect themselves in an organized manner, as an independent brigade or battalion."
Currently, the fighters are exploring alternative avenues with the Syrian Ministry of Interior, discussing potential integration into the ministry's special operations forces. According to sources, an earlier proposal to transfer the fighters to the tourism police—where women are allowed to serve—was rejected by the YPJ leadership, which insists on maintaining their combat capabilities.
More Than Just a Job
For these fighters, the struggle is about much more than employment. During the Syrian civil war, the YPJ became a symbol of empowerment for Kurdish women, coinciding with the Kurdish administration's efforts to promote gender equality in political and security institutions.
A 20-year-old YPJ fighter remarked:
"Women are always seen as weak. Women do not draw their strength from men, nor from the state."
Dissolution of the SDF and Transition to Peace
The integration of Kurdish forces comes after months of negotiations with the al-Sharaa government. Under the agreement, male fighters will join state security forces, while civilian institutions previously run by the Kurds will be handed over to the central government.
The deal also includes the recognition of Kurdish cultural, civil, and educational rights. SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi stated that the government has recognized the right to Kurdish-language education, aiming to implement it within the current year. Abdi described the move as a transition "from battlefields to construction, and from the era of weapons to the era of peace."
