Monthly higlights, August

📌Finalization of SDF integration process
In the end of August Mazlum Ebdi announced the completion of the integration of SDF into the new Syrian army, composed of 3 divisions in Hasakah and 1 in Kobane. The integration of Asayish in the ministry of interior is undergoing some new developments as well, with YPJ integrating in it as well as a new Asayish structure in Afrin.

📌Clashes on the return of Serekaniye
Hundreds of displaced families from Serekaniye returned to their homes at the beginning of August, but they were halted by remanent groups of SNA militias and other pro-turkish groups, who attack the convoy upon its arrival. Men armed with knifes and sticks, some even with firearms, charged against Kurdish civilians screaming anti-kurdish slogans and threatening to kill them. Several people were injured, and the attacks continued over night. In many Kurdish cities demonstrations took place to denounce those attacks.

📌Israel bomb al-Zuhur airbase
On August 19 Israel bombed the al-Zuhur airbase, where the Turkish army was planning to transport military equipment. The attacks took place when the base was empty, and Israel claimed it followed warnings issued to the Turkey to prevent military build up in Syria. The Syrian government denounced the attack,the US also criticized it. It is one more example of the growing tensions between Turkey and Israel in Syria.

📌Normalization of Syria
The US removed Syria from the US State Sponsors of Terrorism list. With this restrictions on banking and finance are also lifted. Global electronic payments, eg with mastercard, can now be done in Syria.

📌Framework law in Turkish parliament
On August 10 the Turkish parliament approved a law to proceed with the peace process and dissolution of PKK. The law provides some legal frame for PKK member to not be prosecuted if they lay down weapons, insisting that it does not apply to those accused of "specific serious crimes" neither high rank PKK members. It does not address any Kurdish demands for political and cultural rights, but is being presented as a first step for the ongoing negotiations on the peace process.