Endgame in Syria Nears: Damascus Issues 24-Hour Ultimatum to SDF

Summary:

Talks between Syria’s transitional leadership and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have collapsed amid sharp disagreements over territorial control and political integration. Damascus has reportedly given the SDF a 24-hour deadline to accept terms or face a military resolution in Hasakah, underscoring how close the standoff has come to open confrontation.

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Talks End Without Agreement

A high-stakes meeting between Syria’s transitional president Ahmed al-Sharaa and Mazlum Abdi, commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, ended without agreement, according to sources cited by regional and European media.

Officials briefed on the talks said the meeting lasted more than three hours and was marked by tense exchanges. German news agency dpa reported that Abdi faced pressure from senior PKK-linked figures to abandon a compromise formula said to have been encouraged by Masoud Barzani, though these claims could not be independently verified.

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Damascus’ Offer: Integration for Senior Posts

According to Syrian government sources, al-Sharaa presented Abdi with a concrete proposal aimed at accelerating the integration of the SDF into state institutions. The offer reportedly included:

• Appointment of Mazlum Abdi as Deputy Minister of Defense,

• Authority to nominate a governor for Hasakah,

in exchange for a complete severing of ties between the SDF and the PKK, and the formal dissolution of the SDF’s parallel military structure.

Abdi is said to have rejected the offer, insisting that Hasakah—including its civilian administration—remain under SDF control.

Hasakah Emerges as the Red Line

Control of Hasakah proved to be the decisive sticking point. Damascus demanded that security in the province be transferred to Interior Ministry forces and that full state authority be re-established on the ground.

SDF-aligned sources confirmed that the Syrian leadership sought what they described as “unconditional integration” of Hasakah and Kobani (Ayn al-Arab), a demand Abdi was unwilling to accept.

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“No Five Days”: A 24-Hour Ultimatum

The most critical moment came when Abdi reportedly requested five days to consult his leadership. Syrian officials rejected the request, issuing what sources described as a firm ultimatum.

Al-Sharaa was quoted as saying that Damascus expected a response by the end of the day, warning that failure to comply would result in the Hasakah issue being “resolved by force.” Syrian officials also indicated they would inform international actors that the SDF had withdrawn from negotiations.

Damascus Accuses SDF Over ISIS Prison Breaks

Shortly after the talks collapsed, Syria’s Interior Ministry released a statement accusing the SDF of responsibility for the escape or release of ISIS detainees from a prison in Shaddadi, near Hasakah.

The ministry claimed that the issue of ISIS prisoners was being “misrepresented in the media” by YPG-SDF structures and used as a tool of political pressure.

Message to Washington: “Ready for Direct Coordination”

One of the most notable elements of Damascus’ statement was its direct appeal to the United States. The Interior Ministry said Syria was prepared to coordinate directly with U.S. authorities to ensure regional stability and take over detention facilities in line with international standards.

Officials added that special security units had already been deployed in the region, signaling readiness for rapid escalation if negotiations fail.

A Point of No Return?

The breakdown of talks marks what many observers see as the most dangerous phase yet in Syria’s reintegration process. With deadlines imposed and military options openly discussed, the standoff over Hasakah suggests the window for a negotiated settlement between Damascus and the SDF is rapidly closing.

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