Syrian Women’s Protection Units spokesman says Damascus rejected request to join army

DAMASCUS, Syria — The Syrian army rejected a request by the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) to join its ranks during a February 25 meeting in Damascus with President Ahmed al-Sharaa, YPJ spokesman Noroz Ahmed told Reuters. Ahmed said the request was turned down on the grounds that "there is no place for women" in the military. Ahmed said talks have shifted toward finding an alternative framework within the Interior Ministry. The YPJ had sought to join the army so its fighters could serve in an organized structure, citing their military experience and competence, according to the spokesman. The group has proposed joining the ministry’s special operations forces instead, arguing this would better suit its fighters’ skills. The YPJ comprises more than 1,500 women fighters, Ahmed said, adding that the units are still awaiting an official response from the Interior Ministry on integrating the full force into the new structure. A day earlier, Ahmed told the Women’s News Agency that Syrian authorities were in principle open to the units joining the Interior Ministry as a "special task force," but that no final decision had been made.