While Kurds hold most of the leadership positions, the S.D.F. is a majority Arab force now, engaged with the Americans in the fight against the Islamic State, mostly in Arab rather than Kurdish areas of Syria. “Arabs love Abdullah Ocalan too,” Mr. Kobani said, casting a glance at the portrait. Their uneasy alliance, held together by the fight against the Islamic State, could be severely tested as the Kurds expand their control. Those fears led to the offensive against Afrin, the eastern region of Rojava, and Turkey has even talked about attacking further east, which would put it in conflict with American forces.

Source: New York Times March 10, 2018 20:03 UTC