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Critical Coverage of the Middle East Since 1971

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Amy Austin Holmes

Amy Austin Holmes is a fellow at the Wilson Center and former associate professor at the American University in Cairo and visiting scholar at Harvard University.

Arabs Across Syria Join the Kurdish-Led Syrian Democratic Forces
Ahmed Abu Kholeh, head of the Deir Ezzor military council which fights under the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), speaks during a press conference in the village of Abu Fas, Hasaka province, Syria, September 2017. Rodi Said/ReutersMap of Northern Syria, Crisis Group/KO, May 2017. Based on UN map no. 4204, Rev. 3 (April 2012).The answer to a question on the survey by an Arab male SDF member from Ras al-Ayn who joined in June 2016.Arab female respondent’s message in the margin of the questionnaire. She is from Homs and joined the SDF in March 2017.Response from an Arab male SDF member from Aleppo who joined in January 2017.
MER Article

Arabs Across Syria Join the Kurdish-Led Syrian Democratic Forces

The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) defending it were established by Kurdish political and military forces. But the SDF also attracts recruits from all over Syria. Why do Arabs from areas both inside and outside SDF control join this military
Amy Austin Holmes • 19 min read
Arabs Across Syria Join the Kurdish-Led Syrian Democratic Forces
Ahmed Abu Kholeh, head of the Deir Ezzor military council which fights under the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), speaks during a press conference in the village of Abu Fas, Hasaka province, Syria, September 2017. Rodi Said/ReutersMap of Northern Syria, Crisis Group/KO, May 2017. Based on UN map no. 4204, Rev. 3 (April 2012).The answer to a question on the survey by an Arab male SDF member from Ras al-Ayn who joined in June 2016.Arab female respondent’s message in the margin of the questionnaire. She is from Homs and joined the SDF in March 2017.Response from an Arab male SDF member from Aleppo who joined in January 2017.
Current Analysis

Arabs Across Syria Join the Kurdish-Led Syrian Democratic Forces

The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) defending it were established by Kurdish political and military forces. But the SDF also attracts recruits from all over Syria. Why do Arabs from areas both inside and outside SDF control join this military
Amy Austin Holmes • 19 min read