A former member of the Syrian Democratic Forces hands over his weapon to members of the Syrian government's internal security forces as part of the reconciliation process, in front of the Kilometer 7 military base in Deir ez-Zor, Syria, on January 26, 2026. PHILÉMON BARBIER/HORS FORMAT FOR LE MONDE
Ahmed al-Jarjis arrived, rifle in hand, on the morning of Monday, January 26, at the gates of the Interior Security Center, located at kilometer 7 on the road heading north from Deir ez-Zor. After regaining control of this predominantly Arab province in northeastern Syria, authorities in Damascus called on Arab and Kurdish men who had fought with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF, a group dominated by Kurdish fighters) to come forward for a reconciliation process.
At the entrance to the building that formerly housed the Asayish (the Kurdish internal security forces), the guards made al-Jarjis pose while he handed over his weapon. They posted the photo on social media to reassure the remaining former SDF fighters who had not yet surrendered. There were only a few of them when the center opened. "The fighters are afraid of being arrested if they come. People like me, who have completed the reconciliation process, will reassure them. We are treated well," said the 25-year-old, playing along.
