Syrian Democratic ForcesEdit

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is a multi-ethnic military alliance formed in 2015 in northern Syria to counter the Islamic State and to stabilize areas liberated from its control. Dominated by the Kurdish-led People’s Protection Units (People's Protection Units), the SDF brings together Arab, Assyrian, Turkmen, and other minority units under a unified command structure to operate in the areas of Syria under the umbrella of the broader anti-ISIS effort. The alliance has been the principal ground partner of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in northeastern Syria and has pursued governance and reconstruction initiatives in areas it controls, notably within the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria framework.

The SDF’s composition reflects a deliberate, pragmatic effort to fuse Kurdish military capability with Arab and other minority participation. Its core is the People's Protection Units, complemented by the Women’s Protection Units, which has attracted international attention for women’s leadership in combat and security roles. In addition, Arab tribal militias and ethnic minority groups participate under the umbrella of the SDF’s command, enabling a multi-ethnic security presence in a procedurally plural structure. The alliance coordinates with the political wing known as the Syrian Democratic Council, which provides governance and policy direction for the territories outside the central government’s control. The SDF’s reach most closely aligns with the Jazira and Euphrates basins, where it has established local councils and service delivery in collaboration with international aid partners.

Formation and structure

Origin and mandate: The SDF emerged from the need for a credible, locally grounded force capable of defeating ISIS and securing liberated areas, especially after the Kurdish-led components had demonstrated battlefield effectiveness against ISIS. The alliance was created with the support of the United States and other members of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS to provide a stabilized ground force in regions liberated from ISIS control.
Key components: The core is the People's Protection Units; the female-led Women’s Protection Units operate alongside male units; Arab and other minority militias participate under SDF command; a political layer operates through the Syrian Democratic Council to coordinate local governance and reconciliation efforts.
Territorial scope: While the SDF is a single military command, its administrative footprint largely overlaps with the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, a governance structure designed to administer civilian affairs, deliver services, and manage security in its areas of control.

Role in the fight against ISIS

Major campaigns: The SDF was instrumental in leading the assault on ISIS’s strongholds in Syria, including the campaign to retake Raqqa and the subsequent stabilization and security operations in northeastern Syria. The group also conducted operations in Manbij and near other border areas, aiming to prevent a ISIS resurgence and to secure key infrastructure such as border crossings and critical dams.
International support: The alliance has benefited from training, air support, and arming by the United States and partners within the Coalition against ISIS, enabling sustained offensives and a degree of local political legitimacy that would be harder to achieve for a purely Kurdish force.
Security balance: In the wake of ISIS’s territorial defeat, the SDF has continued to hold large swaths of territory, managing security, humanitarian relief, and governance in a fragile post-conflict environment while facing ongoing regional pressures.

Governance and administration

Local governance: Under the AANES framework, the SDF-captured areas have sought to implement local councils, multi-ethnic representation, and civil services, including education and health networks. This model is presented by supporters as a pragmatic approach to stabilize a diverse region through inclusive governance and rule of law.
Minority and gender dimensions: The involvement of Arab, Assyrian, Turkmen, and other communities is central to the SDF’s legitimacy in mixed areas. The YPJ’s prominence has drawn international attention to gender roles in security, though critics question the depth of political participation for non-Kurdish communities in every locality.
Relations with Damascus and neighbors: The SDF operates in tension with the Syrian government in Damascus, which has asserted sovereignty and opposed autonomous administrative structures; regional dynamics with Türkiye and other neighbors also influence governance choices and security policies.

Foreign relations and strategic significance

Alliance with the United States: The SDF’s ability to conduct rapid offensives against ISIS targets and to maintain security across a contested frontier has been heavily dependent on outside support, particularly from the United States and its partners in the Coalition against ISIS. This relationship has shaped regional outcomes, including the deterrence of ISIS resurgence and the shaping of post-conflict governance models.
Turkiye and regional security: Türkiye views elements of the SDF, especially the Kurdish-affiliated groups, with suspicion due to its own security concerns and links to Kurdish armed movements. Turkish incursions into northern Syria have complicated SDF obligations, forcing strategic recalculations about border security, civilian protection, and alliance commitments with external partners.
Regional diplomacy: The SDF’s governance and military posture have affected relations with the central Syrian government and with neighboring state actors, influencing broader discussions about sovereignty, legitimacy, and the possible pathways to a durable peace in northern Syria.

Controversies and debates

Civilian harm and human rights: Critics point to civilian casualties, population displacements, and concerns about due process in areas under SDF influence. Proponents argue that the SDF’s operations were conducted in the context of an active insurgency and that civilian protection protocols were implemented where feasible, emphasizing the priority of defeating ISIS and stabilizing liberated areas.
Governance and political inclusion: Debates center on how representative the SDF-led administration is for Arab communities and minority groups, and whether local governance structures can sustain pluralism in the long term without outside security guarantees. Supporters stress the pragmatic need for security and basic services in a fragile environment, while critics warn against entrenching a security-first model that may limit political pluralism.
Strategic tradeoffs: From a strategic perspective, supporters argue that a strong, multi-ethnic force anchored by external stability supports regional security and prevents a power vacuum, whereas critics contend that reliance on external support can undermine sovereignty and create incentives for limited reform in governance to preserve strategic alignment with outside patrons.
Post-conflict governance: The transition from wartime governance to peacetime administration raises questions about accountability, the rule of law, and long-term development. Proponents emphasize stability and service delivery, while others advocate for deeper political reforms and broader inclusion of diverse communities.