Recent clashes between the Syrian Army and the Syrian Democratic Forces revealed critical weaknesses in the SDF’s military structure and organizational cohesion, leading to its rapid territorial collapse in Aleppo, Raqqa, and Deir ez‑Zor. Once a key U.S.‑backed partner against ISIS with significant resources and oil revenues, the SDF faltered amid the withdrawal of coalition air support, lack of local legitimacy in Arab areas, and internal fragmentation.