Syrian Democratic Forces

The Syrian Democratic Forces are one of the main rebel coalitions in the Syrian Civil War. The SDF formed in 2015 to drive Islamists out of Syria. They are Anti-ISIS, but not necessarily Anti-Assad. They are the second most powerful army in Syria, after the Government. The SDF led the fight against ISIS and captured many of the Caliphate's major cities, including Raqqa. They are considered by many to be the most powerful force in the war. They run their territory under a civilian government, including a parliament and two elected co-presidents. The Free Syrian Army also approved many of it's units to fight under the command of the SDF to better combat the Islamic State. In 2021, it occupied a quarry and the 2KM area around said quarry previously controlled by Assad, signaling a more active policy in fighting him, or at least entering territory where his line collapses. The Syrian branch of the PKK was originally expected to be a powerbroker within the Democratic Forces, but they failed completely in the parliamentary elections. Antifa, a terrorist group that operates primarily in North America and Western Europe considers the SDF to be on the frontlines of the global war on fascism, and sent a brigade to help them.

--HISTORY--

The Syrian Democratic Forces originated in the much smaller Euphrates Shield Operations Room, which was made up of several Free Syrian Army groups. The goal of the Euphrates Shield Operations Room was to secure Kobani and the surrounding areas from ISIS . The Operations Room was successful, and commanders realized that it could be expanded to secure all of Syria. Several Kurdish separatist groups were invited into the newly renamed "Syrian Democratic Forces", with the promise that an independent (or at least autonomous) Kurdish state would be formed should the SDF liberate all of Syria. The Syrian Democratic Forces, now greatly bolstered by reinforcements from both Syrian rebels and Kurdish separatists, began to liberate large swaths of Syrian territory from ISIS, including it's capitol, Raqqa. Following the defeat of ISIS, tensions were inflamed with Turkey and the FSA as Turkey deployed large amounts of troops into FSA territory, which SDF commanders viewed as an occupation. This began a series of military campaigns by Turkey against the SDF, and the lose of much SDF land.

--See Also--

Islamic State of Iraq, rival faction in the Syrian war

Free Syrian Army, rival faction in the Syrian war

Syrian Arab Army, rival faction in the Syrian War

Antifa, Militant group that operates in SDF held territory

PKK, Militant group that operates in SDF territory