Research Article

The Positioning of the PYD in Syria’s Future: The Civil War, the 10th Congress, and December 8

Number: 44 May 26, 2025
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The Positioning of the PYD in Syria’s Future: The Civil War, the 10th Congress, and December 8

Abstract

This study examines the position of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), one of the most prominent actors in the Syrian Civil War, in shaping Syria’s future after December 8. Since 2011, the PYD has pursued a third-way strategy, distinct from both the government and opposition, leveraging the military pressure exerted by its armed wing, the People’s Protection Units (YPG), to secure strategic gains. The study aims to analyze the PYD’s role and influence in the search for a new order in Syria. While the PYD seeks to integrate YPG-commanded Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES)—which has established a de facto governance structure over a significant portion of Syrian territory—into Syria’s future framework, the Syrian Interim Government, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, underscores the necessity of disarmament for all groups and the preservation of territorial integrity. This study conducts a situational analysis based on the PYD’s 10th Congress held on September 21–22, 2024, and developments following December 8, 2024, when opposition forces took control of Damascus. Notably, the exclusion of the PYD and its affiliates from the National Dialogue Conference on February 25, 2025—where discussions on Syria’s future took place—is a crucial indicator for forecasting future developments. By centering its analysis on the PYD, this study aims to provide an up-to-date perspective on Syria’s current situation and contribute to the field.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

International Politics

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

May 23, 2025

Publication Date

May 26, 2025

Submission Date

March 1, 2025

Acceptance Date

May 1, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Number: 44

APA
Çıtak, E. (2025). The Positioning of the PYD in Syria’s Future: The Civil War, the 10th Congress, and December 8. TYB Akademi Dil Edebiyat Ve Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 44, 126-148. https://izlik.org/JA72TK33JC
AMA
1.Çıtak E. The Positioning of the PYD in Syria’s Future: The Civil War, the 10th Congress, and December 8. TYB Akademi Dil Edebiyat ve Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi. 2025;(44):126-148. https://izlik.org/JA72TK33JC
Chicago
Çıtak, Emre. 2025. “The Positioning of the PYD in Syria’s Future: The Civil War, the 10th Congress, and December 8”. TYB Akademi Dil Edebiyat Ve Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, nos. 44: 126-48. https://izlik.org/JA72TK33JC.
EndNote
Çıtak E (May 1, 2025) The Positioning of the PYD in Syria’s Future: The Civil War, the 10th Congress, and December 8. TYB Akademi Dil Edebiyat ve Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi 44 126–148.
IEEE
[1]E. Çıtak, “The Positioning of the PYD in Syria’s Future: The Civil War, the 10th Congress, and December 8”, TYB Akademi Dil Edebiyat ve Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, no. 44, pp. 126–148, May 2025, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA72TK33JC
ISNAD
Çıtak, Emre. “The Positioning of the PYD in Syria’s Future: The Civil War, the 10th Congress, and December 8”. TYB Akademi Dil Edebiyat ve Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi. 44 (May 1, 2025): 126-148. https://izlik.org/JA72TK33JC.
JAMA
1.Çıtak E. The Positioning of the PYD in Syria’s Future: The Civil War, the 10th Congress, and December 8. TYB Akademi Dil Edebiyat ve Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi. 2025;:126–148.
MLA
Çıtak, Emre. “The Positioning of the PYD in Syria’s Future: The Civil War, the 10th Congress, and December 8”. TYB Akademi Dil Edebiyat Ve Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, no. 44, May 2025, pp. 126-48, https://izlik.org/JA72TK33JC.
Vancouver
1.Emre Çıtak. The Positioning of the PYD in Syria’s Future: The Civil War, the 10th Congress, and December 8. TYB Akademi Dil Edebiyat ve Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi [Internet]. 2025 May 1;(44):126-48. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA72TK33JC