The People's Protection Units (YPG) announced Tuesday that it will dissolve its independent military and civilian structures to integrate into the Syrian army [1, 2].
This transition marks a significant shift in the governance of northern Syria, potentially ending years of autonomous Kurdish military control in the region. The move aims to centralize security under the national government and reduce ethnic tensions between Kurdish and Arab populations.
In a statement, a YPG spokesperson said, "We are dissolving ourselves as an independent military force, and will integrate into the brigades of the Syrian army" [1]. The YPG is the dominant militia within the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) [1, 2].
The announcement follows an agreement reached on March 10, 2026 [3], between Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and the leadership of the SDF [3]. This agreement established the framework for the integration of Kurdish forces into the national military structure [3, 4].
International observers have reacted to the development. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the move could strengthen Kurdish-Arab brotherhood and help secure unity and stability in neighboring Syria [4]. He said the dissolution would be welcome if implemented on the ground [5].
U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack said the development was a step toward "a united Syria for all" [2].
The YPG's dissolution was officially announced on August 25, 2026 [1, 5]. The process involves the dismantling of both the military command and the civilian administrative bodies that have operated independently in the region [1, 2].
“"We are dissolving ourselves as an independent military force, and will integrate into the brigades of the Syrian army."”
The integration of the YPG into the Syrian Arab Army represents a strategic pivot toward national unification under President Ahmed al-Sharaa. By absorbing the Kurdish militia, the Syrian government seeks to eliminate fragmented pockets of autonomy and consolidate state authority. For Turkey, this dissolution addresses a long-standing security concern regarding Kurdish autonomy on its border, while the U.S. views the move as a path toward a more cohesive Syrian state.
