Thousands of Former Syrian Army Officers Join SDF

This development has not only altered the military and security balance in Syria but also introduced new complexities to the future process of integrating the SDF into the structure of a new Syrian state.

The report also highlights the frequent flights of Russian helicopters at Qamishli Airport, noting that these flights coincided with the transfer of Assad government officers to Syria’s coastal regions—an indication of emerging indirect coordination between Russia, the SDF, and groups aligned with Assad’s government.

This strengthens the assumption that Moscow plays a hidden yet active role in this movement. Since its military intervention in Syria, Russia has sought to maintain influence on both sides of the Euphrates equation—supporting Assad’s forces while also engaging with the SDF.

The primary driver behind this large-scale defection is economic motivation. The stark difference between the salaries of military personnel under Assad’s government and those offered by the SDF demonstrates that eastern Syria has become a hub for attracting economically vulnerable soldiers. Oil revenues from the region provide the financial means to sustain these payments, while former regime forces, seeking livelihood security and distancing themselves from the violence of Julani’s elements, gravitate toward the dominant power in the area.

This trend underscores that the war economy remains the decisive factor shaping the orientation of armed forces in Syria.