Geopolitical Analysis by Ibrahim Kaban / Special: Geostrategic Studies
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are a military coalition primarily composed of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), Arab and Assyrian forces, and other components in northern and eastern Syria. The SDF played a crucial role in the fight against ISIS with the assistance of the United States and the international coalition. However, these forces do not receive official support from Arab countries, despite the participation of some Arab nations in the international coalition against ISIS, including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, which have provided aerial and intelligence support. Nonetheless, relations between these countries and the Syrian Democratic Forces have not reached a deep level. This raises questions about the underlying reasons for this stance.
Regional and Ethnic Tensions
One of the main reasons Arab states refrain from supporting the SDF is the ethnic composition of the force, where the Kurdish YPG forms its backbone. Arab countries, particularly those like Iraq and Turkey (though not Arab), are cautious of any Kurdish movement aiming for political or military gains, fearing it could embolden separatist sentiments among their own Kurdish populations. In this context, supporting the SDF may be seen as implicitly encouraging Kurdish nationalist ambitions, which conflicts with the national interests of certain Arab countries that have significant Kurdish communities.
Relations with Turkey
Turkey is one of the most hostile actors towards the Syrian Democratic Forces due to the YPG's ties to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is designated as a terrorist organization in Turkey and some other countries. As a result, any Arab support for the SDF could be perceived as a direct challenge to Turkey, risking political and economic relations with Ankara. Arab states, particularly Gulf countries, seek to maintain good relations with Turkey in areas such as trade and security, and thus avoid supporting the SDF to protect these interests.
International and Regional Alliances
The SDF heavily relies on military and logistical support from the United States and the international coalition in its fight against ISIS. However, within the Arab world, many countries maintain strong diplomatic and security relations with the U.S., yet adopt different policies based on complex regional dynamics. Most Arab states, such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, prioritize supporting traditional Syrian opposition forces against the Assad regime, often viewing the Kurds' role as complicating this complex political landscape.
Concern for Syria's Unity
Arab states generally support the territorial integrity of Syria. While the SDF has not explicitly declared full secession from Syria, its control over large parts of the northeast and its autonomous governance raise concerns among some Arab countries, which see this as a potential step towards Syria’s fragmentation. Supporting forces that seek autonomous rule or any form of partial independence could conflict with the official Arab stance of maintaining Syria's unity and sovereignty.
Distrust of Non-Governmental Forces
The history of the Arab world is rife with hesitations toward supporting non-governmental armed groups, often viewed as threats to the stability of nation-states. Arab states, especially those that have experienced civil wars and internal unrest, such as Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Libya, are reluctant to support non-governmental forces that could further complicate the security and political scene. Despite the SDF being considered a liberating force against ISIS, it remains a non-state military force, raising concerns among Arab states that it could become the nucleus for a separatist movement or a parallel force that undermines national sovereignty.
Sectarian Considerations
Syria’s sectarian and ethnic makeup is another factor. Some Sunni-majority Arab states, like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, tend to support Sunni opposition factions fighting against the Assad regime, which is backed by Iran. Although the SDF is secular and non-sectarian, some regional actors view it as aligned with Shia forces or U.S.-backed entities, making it less appealing to Arab states seeking to maintain a sectarian balance in the Syrian conflict.
Conclusion
The reluctance of Arab states to support the Syrian Democratic Forces stems from a complex set of factors, including concerns over Kurdish separatism, relations with Turkey, international alliances, the commitment to Syria’s territorial unity, and wariness of non-governmental forces. Added to this are sectarian and political considerations that make Arab states adopt a cautious stance towards supporting any actor outside the central government in Damascus.
