Archive · 23 Dec 2025
Turkey Discusses SDF Integration Amid Aleppo Violence
A high-level Turkish team went to Damascus to talk about a deal to include the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into Syria's government.
Turkey sees the SDF as a threat and wants them to give up their weapons and join the Syrian army.
Meanwhile, there was violence in the city of Aleppo where at least two civilians were killed.
Both the Syrian government and the SDF blamed each other for the attacks.
The talks are important because Turkey has warned it might take military action if the SDF doesn't follow the deal.
The SDF has a lot of fighters, and there's a deadline at the end of the year to make this happen.
Turkey is worried about its own safety and the unity of Syria.
A high-level Turkish delegation visited Damascus to discuss the integration of the SDF into Syria's state apparatus.
Turkey views the SDF as a terrorist organization and demands its disarmament and dissolution.
The delegation includes Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defence Minister Yasar Guler, and intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin.
At least two civilians were killed in Aleppo violence, with government forces and the SDF trading blame.
The SDF denied attacking government forces, blaming affiliated factions of the Syrian government for the violence.
- Who
- Turkish delegation including Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defence Minister Yasar Guler, and intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin; Syrian government forces and SDF
- What
- Discussions on SDF integration into Syria's state apparatus and violence in Aleppo
- When
- Monday (December 25, 2023) for talks; December 22, 2023, for Aleppo violence
- Where
- Damascus, Syria for talks; Aleppo, Syria for violence
- Why
- To address Turkey's national security concerns and ensure the implementation of the integration deal; cause of Aleppo violence disputed
- Delegation Members
- Hakan Fidan, Yasar Guler, Ibrahim Kalin
- SDF Fighters
- Roughly 50,000
- Deadline for Integration
- Year-end
- Turkey's View of SDF
- Terrorist organisation
- Turkey's Concern
- National security
- Proposed SDF Reorganization
- Three main divisions and smaller brigades
- Turkey's Demand
- Disarmament and dissolution of SDF
- Casualties in Aleppo
- At least 2 civilians killed, several wounded
- Blame for Aleppo Violence
- Government and SDF trade blame
Sources
High-level Turkish team to visit Damascus on Monday for talks on SDF integration
Turkey says Kurdish-led SDF does not intend to advance integration with Syrian state
At least two civilians killed in Aleppo violence as Syrian government, SDF trade blame