Syrian Kurds Join Assad's Army Amid Regional Pressures and Implications for Israel

In a significant development, Syrian Kurdish forces have announced their dissolution and integration into the Syrian army under President Ahmad al-Sharaa. This move was influenced heavily by Kurdish leaders from northern Iraq, particularly following a historic visit by the Kurdish regional president, Nechirvan Barzani, to Damascus. During this visit, plans were laid for the Syrian Kurdish commander Mazlum Abdi to declare the integration into the new Syrian regime.

A senior official from the Kurdish region in northern Iraq told Kan News that the Syrian Kurds were effectively compelled to accept this arrangement, as military confrontation with al-Sharaa would be futile. The official emphasized the need to adapt to Syria's new reality and salvage what is possible under the circumstances. The Iraqi Kurds were concerned that unresolved Kurdish issues in Syria could negatively impact their own situation, prompting them to encourage their Syrian counterparts to minimize losses.

The Syrian Kurds found themselves isolated against both al-Sharaa's forces and Turkey under Erdogan, with the United States and Western allies withdrawing support. Attention now turns to the repercussions for other minorities in Syria, especially the Druze community near the Israeli border. Sheikh Hikmat al-Ghari, the Druze leader, recently declared the community an integral part of Israel, a statement seen as strategically timed.

Similar to the U.S. and Iraqi Kurds, al-Sharaa recognizes Israel's influence, given its patronage of the Druze in Syria, and hopes the Americans will coordinate with Israel accordingly. Meanwhile, security sources report ongoing secret talks with Turkey aimed at preventing clashes, while Kurdish sources accuse Turkey of occupying northern Syrian territories.