German Volunteers Continue to Support Kurdish Forces in Syria

In northern Syria, a small number of German nationals remain active in the autonomous Kurdish-controlled region, continuing their involvement in local defense efforts. While the peak of foreign participation has passed, reliable sources indicate that approximately 20 Germans are currently present, supporting Kurdish forces in ongoing regional conflicts.

The involvement of international volunteers in Syria began when Kurdish-led militias sought support to counter the rise of the so-called Islamic State (IS) from 2014 onwards. During this period, hundreds of foreign volunteers, including up to 120 Germans, traveled to Syria and Iraq to fight alongside the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) and the broader Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). These volunteers, aged between 19 and 55, hailed from major German cities such as Berlin, Duisburg, and Magdeburg. Their primary objective was to help combat IS expansion and defend Kurdish-held areas.

Since the defeat of IS as a territorial entity, the security landscape in Syria has evolved. The SDF, with the YPG as its leading component, continues to face threats from Islamist groups and the Syrian government forces now controlled by Ahmed al-Scharaa, who took power in Damascus following the fall of Bashar al-Assad in late 2024. Kurdish authorities in the region, primarily aligned with the secular Democratic Union Party (PYD), remain committed to preserving their autonomy in the north of the country.

The number of German and other European volunteers has declined over recent years as many have either returned home or relocated elsewhere. A Kurdish official recently confirmed that most Europeans who once joined the YPG have now left Syria, though a handful remain. The same trend is observed among volunteers from Greece, France, and Belgium.

Former fighters note that some Germans still present in the region may lack valid travel documents, as German passports typically expire after ten years. This poses challenges for those who arrived around 2015 and have not renewed their documentation since. The status of these individuals complicates any potential return to Germany, especially for those with expired identification.

German government officials have stated they do not possess current information regarding the activities or locations of citizens still engaged with Kurdish forces. Notably, authorities have undertaken efforts in recent years to repatriate German nationals, particularly women and children, who were associated with IS and detained in Kurdish-administered camps. Security sources estimate that 30 to 40 male German citizens with links to IS remain in Kurdish custody, while significant repatriations have already occurred for women and minors.

The continued presence of German volunteers in the Kurdish-controlled zones of northern Syria underscores the complex aftermath of the Syrian conflict and the ongoing struggle for autonomy among the region's Kurdish population. As regional dynamics shift and international involvement wanes, the future of these foreign fighters and the stability of the autonomous region remain subjects of close observation.