Kurdish women fighters from the YPJ are negotiating with Syria’s new authorities to retain official combat and security roles after an overhaul of the country’s military structure leaves their future uncertain. The Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), which have been prominent in the fight against Islamic State, are seeking a place within the new framework under President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Across reporting, the YPJ’s role in the Syria conflict is described as central to earlier gains against Islamic State in the north and east. They fought alongside the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), helping drive Islamic State from large areas. While one outlet emphasizes the fighters’ aim to preserve an institutional combat role under the reformed security system, another characterizes the women as former symbols of the anti-ISIS campaign who now face unclear prospects as Syria’s governance and military arrangements change.
Both accounts focus on negotiations and uncertainty regarding how the fighters will be integrated or recognized going forward, rather than on any confirmed outcome from the talks.
