U.S. Signals Green Light as Clock Ticks Down for PKK-Linked Group in Syria

The countdown has begun for the PKK-linked YPG/SDG presence in northern Syria, as the deadline for integration with the Syrian state expires on December 31. According to regional security sources, Washington has indicated it will not block a potential military operation by Damascus—backed by Ankara—against SDG elements that resist integration. The developments point to a decisive phase in Syria’s post-war restructuring, with far-reaching regional implications.

Deadline Approaches for YPG/SDG Integration

The time allotted to the YPG/SDG—widely regarded by Türkiye as the Syrian branch of the PKK—to integrate into the Syrian Arab Army is set to expire at the end of December. Security sources say U.S. resistance to such an operation has eased significantly, with Washington no longer opposing a limited, Syrian-led military move against SDG units that continue to delay or reject integration.

According to these sources, the December–January period could prove pivotal for Syria’s political and security architecture. A new framework shaped by coordination among Washington, Damascus, Ankara, and Doha reportedly prioritizes Syria’s territorial unity and seeks to dismantle parallel armed structures outside state control.

Under this plan, the fight against ISIS—long cited as the principal justification for the YPG/SDG’s armed presence—would be conducted jointly by coalition forces and the Syrian army. In return, the YPG/SDG would be required to abandon its political, military, territorial, and financial demands and submit fully to Damascus.

Washington Steps Back, with Conditions

U.S. officials were initially cautious about a potential operation, despite SDG’s failure to honor commitments made in earlier talks in Damascus. However, recent reports suggest Washington will no longer obstruct military action, provided certain conditions are met.

Chief among these is that the operation be carried out exclusively by the Syrian state and its regular forces, without the involvement of tribal militias or civilian armed groups. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is also expected to reduce or withdraw its presence from contact zones and strategically sensitive areas if an operation proceeds.

American officials remain focused on limiting broader instability and preventing uncontrolled armed mobilization, particularly in areas such as Suwayda, where tribal dynamics have previously complicated security operations.

Key Areas and ISIS Detainees

Field sources indicate that any operation would initially focus on areas including Tabqa, Raqqa, Ayn Issa, Deir ez-Zor, parts of Aleppo such as Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh, as well as strategic locations like Tishrin and Karakozak.

Coalition forces would continue concentrating their efforts on ISIS cells in the Badia desert region between Homs and Deir ez-Zor. In parallel, discussions are reportedly underway between Washington and Damascus on transferring up to 5,000 ISIS detainees currently held in SDG-controlled prisons to facilities under Syrian state authority. Some reports suggest heightened coalition activity around camps and detention centers in anticipation of such transfers.

Tribal Leaders Signal Readiness

Abdulnasser al-Segni, a prominent leader of the Sahani tribe, told local media that tribal communities are awaiting decisive action. He claimed that if Türkiye and Damascus give the signal, tribal forces could mobilize “up to 400,000 fighters” against what he described as PKK-linked rule in the region.

Al-Segni said large civilian populations in Raqqa, Hasakah, Deir ez-Zor, and Aleppo’s rural areas have lived for years under what he termed repression—first under the Baath regime and more recently under YPG/SDG control. He argued that support for the group is sustained largely through intimidation or material inducements, rather than genuine local backing.

He also said several tribal leaders who had previously cooperated with the SDG—including figures from the Shammar tribe—have now declared loyalty to Damascus, signaling a shift in local power dynamics.

Regional Stakes Remain High

The emerging U.S.–Türkiye–Syria alignment has reportedly unsettled Israel, which views the evolving arrangements with caution. Analysts say the coming weeks could mark a turning point, not only for northern Syria but also for broader regional balances, particularly as Ankara presses to dismantle what it sees as a terror corridor along its southern border.

Whether the transition unfolds through negotiated integration or limited military action remains uncertain. What appears clear, however, is that the status quo surrounding the YPG/SDG is approaching a critical inflection point as the December 31 deadline draws near.

Source:  pro-Erdogan Türkiye Gazette

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