Syria's Ministry of Interior announced the creation of a new security force framework in early September, aiming to broaden recruitment across the country's diverse communities. Among the applicants are women who previously served in the Kurdish Women's Protection Units (YPJ), a militia that played a prominent role in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIL) in northern Syria.
According to Al Jazeera, the former YPJ fighters are requesting formal positions within the new security apparatus, citing a desire to continue contributing to stability and public safety after the defeat of ISIL. The ministry has indicated that it will evaluate all applications on a case‑by‑case basis, without specifying criteria for former militia members.
Syrian officials have highlighted the inclusion of former combatants as part of a broader effort to integrate former fighters into state institutions, a policy intended to reduce the risk of armed groups operating outside official control. No official timetable has been provided for the processing of the Kurdish women's applications, and the ministry has not disclosed how many such candidates have applied.
Human‑rights organisations monitoring the integration process have expressed cautious optimism, noting that the participation of women in security roles could improve gender representation in Syrian law‑enforcement bodies. However, they also warned that former militia members might face challenges related to vetting procedures, loyalty assessments, and the need for additional training to adapt to civilian policing duties.
The YPJ, which was formed in 2013 as an all‑female wing of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), earned international recognition for its combat effectiveness against ISIL. Since the territorial defeat of the extremist group, many of its members have sought pathways to civilian life, with some turning to education, reconstruction projects, or, as in this case, attempts to join state security services.
The move comes amid ongoing negotiations over the future of security sector reforms in Syria, a process that involves multiple domestic and international stakeholders. The outcome for the Kurdish women applicants could signal the government's willingness to incorporate diverse groups into its security framework, potentially influencing broader reconciliation and stabilization efforts across the war‑torn nation.
Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Al Jazeera — All News — original source: https://www.aljazeera.com/video/newsfeed/2026/9/3/09-03-ypj-syrian-army-sv?traffic_source=rss.