Formed in the early stages of the Syrian Civil War, it had initially been established to police areas controlled by the Kurdish Supreme Committee.

Overall, the local Asayish forces are composed of 26 official bureaus that aim to provide security and solutions to social problems.

Larger cities have general directorates that are responsible for all aspects of security including road controls.

[2] The Assyrian Khabour Guards and Nattoreh also provide security in towns along the Khabur River.

Ethnically, Kurds dominate the Asayish, though half of the active personnel in Jazira Region is Arab, while around 300 Turkmens have also enlisted, mostly in Tell Abyad.

[5] According to the pro-PYD Peace in Kurdistan Campaign, the region's government is working towards providing all citizens with Asayish training.

[16] In addition to the use of weapons, Asayish members are also trained in "mediation, ethics, the history of Kurdistan, imperialism, the psychological war waged by popular culture and the importance of education and self-critique.