By Samah Abdul-Fattah | 2026-09-12

The Syrian government has now finalized formal plans to incorporate young female members of the Women's Protection Units (YPJ) into the official national police force.

This strategic transition represents a crucial component of broader, ongoing efforts to integrate experienced Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) personnel into the official Syrian state institutions.

YPJ member Roshan Kobani told Al-Fassel that this integration process had been widely anticipated for a very long time.

"Although full details of the process have not yet been announced, the move has reassured the personnel," she added.

Kobani said that the integration "directly concerns their future," providing much-needed personal stability after serving over a decade of intense military service.

Transitioning to standard civilian employment is difficult, but police duties will be significantly less arduous than fighting the "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS).

Kobani hopes their initial deployment takes place in northern Syria, where local civilians are already accustomed to their current presence and duty.

Defining new roles and duties

Officials suggest the situation will evolve as women are transferred to various locations to solidify this successful and comprehensive integration effort.

The Syrian administration intends to leverage their specific expertise in surveillance, guarding detention facilities and conducting sensitive, essential and necessary security searches.

Utilizing a female police presence will help align operations with evolving societal needs and respect important and sensitive local cultural norms.

Military expert and terror group specialist Yahya Mohammed Ali said that integrating these women into the police is a "smart move."

"The Syrian police currently lack sufficient female personnel numbers to effectively carry out their many mandatory assigned tasks," he added.

The stated that the integration of SDF personnel into state institutions is a "major and necessary step."

Such integration would help secure internal stability, prevent attempts to incite local strife and bring various Syrian components significantly closer together.

Boosting stability through security gains

Ali explained that the integration "bolsters efforts to pursue ISIS operatives and avert potential threats" across the region.

The plan eases regional tensions while effectively leveraging the accumulated combat experience of the YPJ and the broader SDF units.

He expects the Ministry of Interior to utilize female fighters who have already completed their rigorous and specialized security training.

These specialized units will be tasked with tracking down remaining terrorist operatives and raiding their dangerous, hidden and regional sanctuaries.