Mazloum Abdi announced the dissolution of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) as an independent military force after its fighters were integrated into Syrian army brigades. The move ends the entity established in 2015, which controlled large parts of northeastern Syria. The announcement followed Abdi’s meeting with President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus.
The process also includes dissolving the Autonomous Administration, integrating its military and security personnel into the Defense and Interior ministries, and returning border crossings, public facilities, and oil fields to state control.
Meanwhile, SDF leaders may take roles within state institutions. Damascus reportedly offered Abdi a position as presidential adviser on Kurdish affairs, while U.S. envoy Thomas Barrack mentioned possible government roles for Abdi and Ilham Ahmed. No official appointment has been announced.
The settlement shifts the SDF from an independent military and administrative force to Kurdish representation within the Syrian state: one army, one government, and one state.
