Ilham Ahmed affirmed in an extensive interview with Turkish journalists that the integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces into the Syrian army marks the beginning of a new political chapter for the Kurdish question in Syria. She explained that the priority in the coming period will shift toward securing Kurdish rights within the constitution, alongside completing the incorporation of civil and security institutions into the state’s administrative framework.
Military Integration and the Shift Toward Politics
Ahmed stated that the military integration process has now reached its conclusion following recent meetings in Damascus. The SDF has been absorbed into the Syrian army in the form of brigades and no longer operates as an independent force.
With armed struggle giving way to political engagement, she noted that administrative arrangements remain under negotiation. Internal security personnel are registering with state security bodies, and institutions of the Autonomous Administration are being folded into government structures. Logistical complications related to staff registration slowed the process, yet government security officials have already entered Hasakah under the unified framework.
Education Disputes and the Future of the YPJ
Language policy and institutional restructuring continue to generate tension. Ahmed expressed dissatisfaction with the educational framework agreed upon with Damascus, noting that Kurdish has been designated a “national language” rather than an official state language. Under the current arrangement, Kurdish instruction is limited to three hours per week, alongside subjects such as history, geography and philosophy. This represents a significant reduction from the previous curriculum, in which most subjects were taught in Kurdish.
Regarding the Women’s Protection Units, Ahmed revealed that initial proposals to integrate the YPJ directly into the Syrian army were rejected during negotiations. Current discussions focus on transferring the units to the Ministry of Interior, where they would operate as a specialised operations force.
Constitutional Ambitions and Prospects in Parliament
Ahead of her expected entry into the Syrian People’s Assembly, Ahmed expressed interest in joining the Foreign Relations and Constitutional committees. She said that deliberations on a new constitution will begin once parliament is fully convened. Key priorities include securing linguistic and cultural rights for Kurds, Armenians, Assyrians and Turkmen, and exploring forms of administrative decentralisation that would grant provinces broader self-governing authority.
Regional Dynamics and Relations with Turkey
Ahmed acknowledged Turkey’s decisive influence on the dialogue with Damascus and on the ceasefire that followed. She confirmed the existence of communication channels with Turkish security institutions, although no formal link with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been established.
She voiced a clear desire for direct channels with Ankara and expressed readiness to visit Turkey and Imrali in pursuit of peace. In her view, Turkey remains a central interlocutor in the broader Kurdish question, and any durable settlement will require sustained engagement with Ankara.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
