Syrian government integration proposal
The Syrian government submitted a “revised” integration proposal to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on December 6. It is likely that Turkey dictated the terms of this proposal. As of now, the Syrian government has not commented on the specifics of the proposal.
In October 2025, the Syrian government and the SDF reached a “verbal” and “preliminary” agreement to incorporate the SDF into the Syrian Ministry of Defense (MoD) through various distinct formations, including at least three divisions and several independent brigades. The December 6 proposal lacks several or all details included in the earlier October agreement.
Turkey’s insistence that SDF fighters integrate into the MoD as individuals and its demand for a “single command structure” indicate a clear rejection of integrating SDF divisions as cohesive units. Considering its strong opposition to key aspects of the October agreement between the Syrian government and the SDF, it is likely that Turkey played a role in the modifications to the Syrian government’s revised proposal.
On December 8, the General Command of SDF said that it has not received any plan, proposal or official message from Damascus regarding negotiations over the future of its forces.
Turkish Army Ground Forces Commander hold discussions with Syrian defense officials
It is very likely that the meeting addressed efforts to bolster Syrian-Turkish defense collaboration under the military cooperation agreement signed in August 2025.
The timing of this meeting is particularly significant, as the Turkish government continues to articulate political justifications for a potential joint military operation with Syria against SDF. On December 12, same day of the meeting, a spokesperson for the Turkish Defense Ministry reiterated that the SDF must integrate into the Syrian army on an “individual basis” rather than as cohesive units.
Coordination between Turkish and Syrian ground forces will be essential for any preparations leading to a possible joint offensive or Turkish operations within Syrian territory.
Turkish military deployments to NES
On December 7, Turkish military reinforcements were dispatched to Afrin and Manbij in Aleppo Province. Additionally, a Turkish convoy, comprising 20 heavy and medium vehicles, entered the occupied region of Serekaniye.
On December 12, the Turkish Defense Ministry refuted claims that the footage showing Turkish units deploying to Syrian positions indicated preparations for an impending military operation. The ministry described the troop movements depicted in the footage as “routine rotations.”
An SDF spokeperson shared on December 11 that the SDF has not detected any signs of Turkish “readiness for a major military operation” along the frontlines with either the Syrian government or Turkish forces.
The Turkish military previously deployed significant military assets to Kuweires Airbase in Aleppo Province, on September 28. Given Turkey’s established positions and air superiority over the SDF, the Turkish military could potentially launch offensive operations against the SDF from occupied areas of Syria.
Attack on US patrol
On December 13, an ambush resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and one American translator, while three other US personnel were injured. The ambush occurred during a key leader engagement in the region of Homs, aimed at supporting ongoing counter-ISIS operations in the region.
Syria’s Interior Ministry reported that the assailant was a member of the Syrian security forces who was on the verge of dismissal due to his extremist views.
Donald Trump characterized the attack as a direct assault by ISIS on U.S. forces in a “dangerous area not fully controlled by the Syrian transitional government,” vowing “very serious retaliation.”
Syrian transitional government stopped importing oil from Kurdish-controlled fields
On December 8, an official from the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) announced that the Syrian transitional government has ceased importing oil from Kurdish-controlled fields. SDF have been supplying oil to the Syrian government since February 2025.
While the reasons behind the Syrian government’s halt in oil imports from the northeast remain unclear, it may indicate that the Syrian government anticipates the imminent transfer of oil fields and their revenues from the SDF as part of an integration agreement. Both the Syrian and Turkish governments have asserted that the SDF must transfer control of all oil fields to the Syrian government by the end of the year.
Continuous developments:
SDF condemned the “dangerous incitement” from armed groups affiliated with the MoD after public celebrations erupted in various Syrian cities to commemorate the fall of the Baath regime. They emphasized that these incidents are not isolated incidents but rather part of a “systematic” effort to incite hatred, reignite divisive rhetoric, and jeopardize civil peace.
Data from human rights organizations and various media indicate that violence against women has taken on a systematic character over the past year. Since 8 December 2024, a total of 650 women, including 29 children, have lost their lives due to various causes such as remnants of war, armed attacks, sectarian assaults, domestic violence and broader societal violence. The highest number of cases were recorded in regions that remain under the control of the Syrian transitional government.
During demonstrations commemorating the first anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime, dozens of residents in the southern city of Suweida gathered to claim their “right to self-determination.”
(A) in NES
