Self-Defense Forces

The Self-Defense Forces, commonly known by the Kurdish acronym HXP from Hêzên Xweparastinê, are a locally recruited territorial defense force associated with the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria. The force emerged during the Syrian Civil War as the autonomous administration developed its own institutions for defense, internal security, and public administration. Unlike the Syrian Democratic Forces, which function as a broader coalition of armed formations, the HXP is principally organized around a self-defense duty imposed on residents of the autonomous administration's constituent regions. The force is multi-ethnic and operates in an area where Kurdish, Arab, Syriac, and other communities live under the autonomous administration. Its recruitment model is local: each canton or region establishes administrative mechanisms for registering eligible residents and organizing their service. The system is based on self-defense duty laws adopted by the legislative institutions of the relevant cantons. Officials associated with the autonomous administration have described the obligation as a civic right and responsibility rather than conventional conscription, but the practical system has operated as compulsory military service and has been described as the first and only conscripted armed force in northeastern Syria. The HXP was first institutionalized in Jazira Canton. Its self-defense law was approved on July 13, 2014, and the first recruits began training on October 11 of that year. The initial course lasted 40 days, with graduation on November 20, 2014. Afrin Canton adopted its own self-defense framework in May 2015, opened a registration center in June, and graduated its first group in July. Kobane's implementation took longer: although conscription had reportedly been discussed earlier, its self-defense center opened in June 2016, followed by the first recruitment and graduation cycle that summer. Training has generally been conducted at camps run by the People's Protection Units, or YPG. Courses have lasted approximately 45 days, although early programs in different cantons lasted about 40 days or one month. The curriculum has included military organization, battlefield tactics, ideological instruction, and guidance on relations with civilians. After completing training, recruits enter HXP service. The force also maintains a special-forces capability and created Military Discipline Units in July 2015 to enforce military discipline, counter arms smuggling, and guard military facilities. The conscription system has been politically contentious. Some residents have attempted to avoid registration or leave the region, including by traveling abroad or to neighboring areas. The Asayish internal security service has reportedly been tasked with detaining people who evade the obligation and compelling them to perform service. The Kurdish National Council, a principal opposition current in northeastern Syria, criticized and rejected the system. These disputes reflect the tension between the autonomous administration's need to maintain territorial defense capacity and residents' objections to compulsory service. HXP units in Afrin participated in the fighting surrounding Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in early 2018 and suffered substantial casualties. The force's role, organization, and territorial reach have since remained connected to the changing political and military circumstances of northern and eastern Syria. It should not be confused with the similarly named Syrian Democratic Forces or with other regional security bodies. The alternate English rendering 'Autonomous Protection Force' has also appeared, although it refers to the same organization rather than a separate formation.

The Self-Defense Forces developed as the autonomous administration in northern and eastern Syria sought to create durable local institutions during the Syrian Civil War. The organization is known in Kurdish as Hêzên Xweparastinê, abbreviated HXP. Other names have appeared in regional usage, including Hêza Parastina Xweser and Erka Xweparastinê. The latter expression is also used for the self-defense duty system itself. The English translation Autonomous Protection Force has occasionally been used, but it does not identify a separate organization. The force began in Jazira Canton, where the self-defense duty law was approved on July 13, 2014. The first HXP recruits entered training on October 11, and completed an approximately 40-day course on November 20. This initial program provided the model for later canton-level implementation. Recruitment was conducted locally through centers established by the cantonal defense authorities, reflecting the HXP's role as a territorial force rather than a centrally recruited national army. Afrin Canton adopted its self-defense duty law on May 19, 2015. Its first registration center opened on June 4, and the first class graduated on July 5 after roughly one month of training. Kobane's system was delayed. Reports in 2014 indicated that conscription might be introduced there, but the formal center did not open until June 4, 2016. The first Kobane recruits were enrolled on June 20 and graduated on July 25. The legal framework was adopted separately by the legislative bodies of the autonomous administration's cantons. Under these laws, each canton’s defense council could establish a center for self-defense duty, register eligible residents, and assign them to service. The administration characterized the obligation as a civic responsibility required for collective survival, while critics treated it as compulsory conscription. The distinction became politically important because the HXP was presented as a community defense institution even though residents who failed to register could face coercive enforcement. Training was generally provided by the YPG. Courses commonly lasted around 45 days, although the earliest programs in Jazira, Afrin, and other areas varied from approximately one month to 40 days. Instruction covered military organization and tactics, ideological subjects, and conduct in relation to civilians. Graduates then entered HXP service. The organization also maintained a special-forces unit, indicating that its responsibilities extended beyond basic local guard duties. In July 2015, the HXP established Military Discipline Units. Their stated responsibilities included enforcing military discipline, preventing arms smuggling, and protecting military buildings. These units added an internal-control function to the HXP's territorial-defense role and helped formalize the force's military structure. The conscription system generated resistance. Some residents attempted to avoid service by not registering, leaving the region, or traveling to Turkey and Iraq. The Asayish was reportedly ordered to arrest people who evaded the obligation and compel them to serve. The Kurdish National Council, an important opposition party in northeastern Syria, openly criticized and rejected the policy. The controversy illustrated the conflict between the administration's wartime manpower needs and opposition to compulsory military service. HXP units in Afrin fought during Operation Olive Branch in early 2018. The campaign resulted in heavy casualties among Afrin's HXP forces and formed one of the clearest recorded episodes of the organization's direct combat role. More broadly, the HXP has operated as one element within the autonomous administration's defense architecture, distinct from the Syrian Democratic Forces and from internal-security organizations such as the Asayish. Its history is therefore tied to canton administration, local recruitment, military mobilization, and the changing territorial conditions of the Syrian conflict.

• 2018

  Afrin HXP participates in Operation Olive Branch

  [1]Self-Defense Forces (NES regions)en.wikipedia.org

  Afrin HXP forces fought during the Turkish-led operation and sustained heavy casualties.

• 2016

  Kobane begins formal HXP recruitment

  [1]Self-Defense Forces (NES regions)en.wikipedia.org

  Kobane opened its self-defense center on June 4, recruited its first group on June 20, and graduated the group on July 25.

• 2015

  Afrin establishes its HXP system

  [1]Self-Defense Forces (NES regions)en.wikipedia.org

  Afrin adopted its self-defense law in May, opened a recruitment center in June, and graduated its first recruits in July.

• 2015

  Military Discipline Units created

  [1]Self-Defense Forces (NES regions)en.wikipedia.org

  The HXP formed units for discipline, anti-smuggling work, and protection of military facilities.

• 2014

  Jazira adopts the self-defense duty law

  [1]Self-Defense Forces (NES regions)en.wikipedia.org

  Jazira Canton approved the legal basis for locally administered HXP recruitment on July 13.

• 2014

  First HXP recruits begin training

  [1]Self-Defense Forces (NES regions)en.wikipedia.org

  The first training group began on October 11 and graduated on November 20 after approximately 40 days.

A locally organized territorial defense and compulsory service institution of the autonomous administration in northeastern Syria, emphasizing regional self-defense, multi-ethnic recruitment, and canton-level administration.

• 2018Defense of Afrin during Operation Olive Branch

  Afrin Canton

  HXP units in Afrin took part in the armed defense of the canton during Turkey's Operation Olive Branch.

  Outcome. The HXP suffered heavy casualties; the referenced material does not provide a complete operational outcome.

  Source

• 2015

  Creation of Military Discipline UnitsStrategy

  Background

  The growing force required dedicated mechanisms for military order, facility protection, and control of weapons flows.

  Action taken

  The HXP formed Military Discipline Units in July.

  Aftermath

  The organization gained a specialized internal-discipline and security component.

  Source

• 2014

  Adoption of canton-level self-defense dutyStrategy

  Background

  The autonomous administration required a locally organized manpower system to support territorial defense during wartime.

  Action taken

  Jazira first adopted a self-defense duty law, followed by similar systems in Afrin and Kobane.

  Aftermath

  The policy created the HXP's conscript recruitment structure but also generated opposition and evasion efforts.

  Source

1. 1Self-Defense Forces (NES regions)en.wikipedia.org