ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Saturday gave pro-regime forces active in areas it controls a deadline of February 10 to surrender their weapons.
“Based on calls from civil activists and prominent figures in the region, and to prevent potential chaos, our forces have extended the deadline for the remaining regime remnants and National Defense to surrender their weapons. This extension will last until February 10, 2025, and will serve as the final deadline,” the statement from SDF said.
In the Kurdish-held northeast, forces affiliated with the regime of Bashar al-Assad were active in areas of Deir ez-Zor province. They also maintained security zones in cities like Qamishli and Hasaka.
The SDF said that a “significant number” of regime forces have already surrendered their weapons and returned public property that was in their possession.
Those who fail to comply by the February 10 deadline will face prosecution, the SDF warned.
Pro-regime forces largely dissolved when a coalition of rebel groups spearheaded by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) overthrew Bashar al-Assad’s regime on December 8.
The new authorities in Damascus have opened centers across the country where former soldiers are given a temporary card while their cases are reviewed at local courts for possible crimes committed during the Baathist regime’s reign. Former soldiers who did not commit crimes against humanity are given an amnesty.
The many armed groups that fought against the regime have agreed to disband and be integrated into the national forces. The SDF, which controls about a third of the country, is currently in talks with Damascus about its future.
“Based on calls from civil activists and prominent figures in the region, and to prevent potential chaos, our forces have extended the deadline for the remaining regime remnants and National Defense to surrender their weapons. This extension will last until February 10, 2025, and will serve as the final deadline,” the statement from SDF said.
In the Kurdish-held northeast, forces affiliated with the regime of Bashar al-Assad were active in areas of Deir ez-Zor province. They also maintained security zones in cities like Qamishli and Hasaka.
The SDF said that a “significant number” of regime forces have already surrendered their weapons and returned public property that was in their possession.
Those who fail to comply by the February 10 deadline will face prosecution, the SDF warned.
Pro-regime forces largely dissolved when a coalition of rebel groups spearheaded by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) overthrew Bashar al-Assad’s regime on December 8.
The new authorities in Damascus have opened centers across the country where former soldiers are given a temporary card while their cases are reviewed at local courts for possible crimes committed during the Baathist regime’s reign. Former soldiers who did not commit crimes against humanity are given an amnesty.
The many armed groups that fought against the regime have agreed to disband and be integrated into the national forces. The SDF, which controls about a third of the country, is currently in talks with Damascus about its future.
