News Center — In parallel with Syria's reconstruction path and the escalating debates over its future, pivotal steps are advancing on both the military and political levels. In this context, YPJ leader Nourouz Ahmed provided extensive answers to questions from our correspondent Afrin Navdar regarding the meetings that brought Rojava representatives together with the Syrian Interim Government, particularly the meetings of August 25 and 26 in Damascus.

Ahmed's remarks went beyond the outcomes of the meetings, addressing substantive files related to YPJ's position within the new military and security structures, women's rights, language and education issues, as well as her assessment of regional threats, foremost among them the ISIS threat.

This interview presents a comprehensive vision of women's role in the struggle and the protection of identity in the new Syria, with all the challenges and transformations this phase entails.

 

First, what took place in the August 25 meeting at the People's Palace in Damascus? What was the atmosphere of the meeting, and what points were discussed and agreed upon?

It can be said that the August 25 meeting was the culmination of a long path of meetings that have continued for seven months, with successive steps that paved the way for a transition from one phase to another.

The previous phase saw significant progress, most notably discussing the mechanism for the SDF's integration into the Syrian army within a new structure, though some unresolved files remain requiring attention. The meeting addressed these outstanding issues and how to complete them, along with other fundamental files concerning the Autonomous Administration.

Within the military discussions, the YPJ file emerged as one of the main axes, alongside matters related to Autonomous Administration institutions and how to deal with them within the framework of understandings with the government. Core issues such as language and education were also raised as part of the debate on the shape of the next phase and the roadmap to be adopted.

The discussions also addressed Syria's current reality, which is going through a sensitive phase with direct regional repercussions, and cannot be assessed in isolation from the overall context of state reconstruction. In this regard, the meeting saw extensive discussion of fundamental files, while other issues remain unresolved and will continue to be addressed in future meetings.

 

What was the significance of YPJ's presence in the delegation at the August 25 meeting, and what points were raised regarding YPJ's status during the discussions at that meeting?

As you know, the YPJ issue has been on the table for a long time within the discussion path, as an essential part of the SDF. Despite the presence of this file in previous meetings attended by YPJ delegations and representatives, the status of this force remained unresolved and not definitively determined.

In this meeting, we focused on the need to clarify YPJ's status, because the lack of resolution on this file affects both our forces and our community. We have fought a long struggle and path, and it was necessary to clarify the status of this force. The delegation's presence also aimed to cement recognition of the SDF as an official force, including the women's units, which had been excluded from final decisions in previous meetings.

In this meeting, it was clearly stated that YPJ's integration into the army is not possible at this time. That was the other side's position. That is, Syria, with its current army and government structure, is not ready now to accommodate this form of organization—neither structurally nor in terms of societal acceptance. But this may be possible in the future, in the coming years. For this reason, we will continue our struggle and work on this file.

As you know, Syria is going through a new reconstruction phase, and this is one of the reasons for our insistence. We are participating in building the new phase, so we must have a place within it. We are not obliged to return to the form of the old Syrian army as it was before the revolution.

Based on what was raised in the meeting, another meeting was held with the Minister of Interior to discuss additional details and present our demands directly, where the YPJ file was also included on the agenda of that meeting, with the aim of reaching a clearer formula regarding the future and role of this force.

 

What was raised in the August 26 meeting with the Minister of Interior, and how did this meeting differ from the previous one, particularly after the decision on YPJ integration and the discussion of its details the following day?

In the August 25 meeting, we received a clear answer that YPJ integration into the army is not currently possible. Therefore, it was necessary to hold another meeting with the Minister of Interior on the 26th to discuss the details regarding our forces' position within the military structure, understand the nature of the existing structure in the ministry, and present our vision for the role our forces could play in the future.

The second meeting was important because it addressed the unclear points from the previous phase and allowed us to present our demands directly. Our presence in this meeting was a continuation of a long path of women's struggle within our forces, which enabled us to reach tangible results. However, there are still issues that need further clarification, and we will continue working on them to ensure the protection of our forces' existence and role.

The August 25 and 26 meetings contributed to consolidating our forces' position within the military structure, based on their long experience and participation in battles. Since the signing of the agreement, our forces have been organized within the brigades in our areas and formed a complete structure. However, the Ministry of Interior includes multiple departments and various branches, and our forces have not yet been trained according to them. It is true that we were among the people and carried great responsibilities in protecting society, but as internal security forces, the situation is completely different. Therefore, we demanded that our forces perform their role according to their experience and be given a clear framework within the military institution.

For this reason, we insisted on a position within the army, and when the response rejecting integration was given, we began discussing alternatives, foremost among them establishing forces with special tasks that would allow our forces to play an effective role without losing their specificity or having their organizational structure dispersed. These forces are operationally combat forces with great experience and can play a greater role.

They said that women could be present in all internal security departments, and that the door is open for that, and that the Ministry of Interior has more women than other institutions. But this was not our demand. Women are already present in internal security in our areas, in large numbers, perhaps more than in other governorates, and they have long experience. Our demand was not merely participation, but to preserve our forces, with their experience and organization, to develop them, to give them a stronger role, and to continue serving society. On this basis, we proposed the idea of special task forces. This is correct, as even now in other areas there are no such forces. But we were told that discussion is possible, that this is a realistic option, and that there is a strong possibility of participating in this form.

Organizing this force will change the structure of the system, as there is a new reconstruction. For us, it is not a problem; the important thing is to preserve our forces, our organization, and not to disperse our strength. We have long experience, and it must remain cohesive.

What is the current status of YPJ after the proposal to transform it into a special task force within the Ministry of Interior? Has this direction become a decision being implemented, or are discussions still ongoing in the absence of an official announcement? Will it be limited to Rojava areas or include other areas, and what is the expected role of this force if adopted?

They said this is a new file for them, and they will discuss it with the relevant authorities in the areas where our forces are deployed. Because our demand is that our forces remain in the areas where they are currently located. So they said they would discuss the matter with the competent authorities and give us an answer. But as I mentioned, what we have received so far is preliminary approval—that is, there is a strong possibility of achieving this. We hold on to this conviction and hope, because our experience can be a model for all of Syria. We believe the answer will be positive. That is why we have not yet made any official announcement. We are waiting for their answer. In the meantime, we must discuss this with our forces as well and be prepared according to this path, because our forces are still organized as a military force within brigades and the army, and this must be taken into account. Our struggle on this file has been clear. Our forces are ready according to their current structure, organization, and experience. Change is necessary for us, and this is an important phase that we will continue working on.

 

Is there a specific number?

Yes, we discussed numbers in the meeting as well. We currently have more than 1,500 fighters within our military forces, and we presented a clear demand on this matter. That is, our forces are present in Kobani, Al-Hasakah, Qamishlo, and Derik. We have organized ourselves in these areas, and our demand is to remain there. According to military logic, forces must remain in the areas where they are deployed. Until now, we have been organized as a "regiment," but they said this organization will change and may become a "battalion." This is not a problem for us. The important thing is that we can protect ourselves in these areas independently. This is the basis for us.

 

Regarding training, it is known that YPJ has so far independently trained its members, both militarily and intellectually. This raises questions about the training mechanism for the units' fighters in the next phase, and which authority will supervise their training and guidance, whether at the level of fighters or women's leadership?

We discussed in the meetings our desire for these units to maintain their own organization and leadership. Whether in the form of battalions or otherwise, the units' commanders should organize themselves according to the areas where they will be stationed or deployed. At the same time, we see the need for women's leadership to have its presence and position within the command of this force.

We have presented this vision, and its details will become clearer in the next phase. So we cannot determine all the details at this time, as the process is still under discussion and negotiation.

What we insisted on, and emphasized during the meeting, is the need to continue our own training system. We have an existing training system, and it should be preserved and developed to safeguard the strength and experience we have accumulated so far. At the same time, the new organization will undoubtedly require new training and qualification programs commensurate with the tasks that will be assigned to the forces in the future.

Because of the nature of the special tasks, we do not yet know all the details of the training system that will be adopted, but we realize that changes and developments are needed. The nature of the new tasks will also require additional and specialized training, and its details will become clearer in the coming discussions.

As for women's tasks, responsibilities, and participation within the forces affiliated with the Ministry of Interior, what we know so far is that all women joining the internal security forces receive training at dedicated centers. A training system has already been established in this form, and all new joiners are supposed to undergo it.

But our forces' situation is different, because they are not new to this field; they have prior experience. This raises the question of how to align the new training system with these existing experiences.

Currently, the training center is in Damascus, but they indicated they are still discussing the possibility of opening branches in other areas. This is important for us, especially since if the arrangements become clear and our forces participate, there will be a real need for training centers in these areas, given the large number of women there.

If internal security forces and YPJ fighters join, there will be a need for a central training center in the region, or branches of the main center, so that women can receive training close to their areas of presence.

It is unlikely that a single center would be sufficient to accommodate the large numbers of women in the region. Therefore, there may be a need to establish local training centers specific to us, alongside utilizing the centers of the new phase.

At the same time, according to different specializations and tasks, there may be a need for specialized training programs tailored to the nature of each branch and task, and we are open to discussing this.

But all these details will become clear in the next phase, because the process is still under negotiation, so it cannot be said that the final training system has been fully decided yet.

Over the years, YPJ has fought a long struggle and become a symbol of resistance in public opinion, with its name and the uniform of its fighters known worldwide. Today, many wonder about the future of this symbol: will the name YPJ remain, or will it be changed? Will the famous uniform remain, or will it change? Could you clarify this?

If integration happens, it is natural for things to change according to the units that will join. In the beginning, our insistence was not only about the name. True, the name has become a symbol of resistance for all women in the world. It holds great value for us too. We believe it has taken its place in history and will continue to do so. This is a legacy built over years.

As I said in the interview, this is like a process that has reached its conclusion; but this does not mean everything has ended, nor that YPJ's legacy has disappeared or gone in vain. That is not the case at all.

YPJ has taken its place in the heart of every woman, in the heart of our entire society, and in the hearts of women around the world. This is not only about the name, nor about whether the name