Qamishli, Syria – The Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), the famed all‑female Kurdish force that helped push Islamic State from northern Syria, are now in talks with the country’s newly formed government to preserve a combat role for their 1,500‑strong brigade.
Negotiations with the new defence and interior ministries
Following the fall of former President Bashar al‑Assad in late 2024, an Islamist rebel coalition took power under President Ahmed al‑Sharaa. The new administration has been consolidating autonomous militias into state institutions. Last week the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were formally dissolved, with former commander Mazloum Abdi appointed as an adviser to President al‑Sharaa and other SDF members absorbed into the defence ministry.
However, the YPJ was told that there is no place for women in the new defence ministry. YPJ commander Nowruz Ahmed said she was informed in meetings in Damascus that her fighters would be excluded.
Proposed alternatives
The YPJ has approached the interior ministry, proposing to join the ministry’s special operations forces – a unit that would better match the YPJ’s capabilities and increase female representation in a traditionally male‑dominated force. The interior ministry already employs women in a tourism police unit, but the YPJ rejected a suggestion that they be folded into that smaller body.
Interior ministry spokesperson Noureddine al‑Baba said the ministry would welcome YPJ fighters, but gave no specifics on how they would be deployed, noting they could serve anywhere in Syria.
Kurdish mistrust and constitutional concerns
Many Kurds remain wary of the new rulers, recalling mass violence against minorities in 2025 and President al‑Sharaa’s former leadership of Al Qaeda’s Syrian branch before he severed ties. YPJ fighters argue that their continued presence is vital for protecting Kurdish communities and upholding the gains made for women during the war.
“They always see women as weak. We do not draw our strength from men or the state,” said 20‑year‑old fighter Goksu Ciyager. “We want a special case and we insist on it.” Unit commander Penaber Baran called for the Syrian constitution to explicitly guarantee a role for the YPJ, emphasizing that Kurdish women have defended themselves throughout the conflict.
What’s next?
The YPJ expects a response from the interior ministry in the coming days. Their outcome will signal how the new Syrian administration balances security restructuring with the inclusion of minority groups and women in its armed forces.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
