Kurdish-led SDF Dissolves, Merges with Syrian Army

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a key partner for the United States in the fight against the Islamic State group, officially dissolved on Tuesday. Commander Mazloum Abdi announced the group's merger with the Syrian army, marking the end of its operations as an independent force. The dissolution follows the SDF's loss of most of its territory in northeastern Syria to a government offensive in January, which led to a merger agreement.

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Today, circumstances have changed, and the country has entered a new phase, one of peace and participation in building a new Syria.

Speaking at a news conference in Damascus, Abdi declared that Syria has entered a "new phase, one of peace and participation in building a new Syria." He stated that the SDF had "carried a heavy responsibility during one of the most difficult periods in Syria's history" and that its mission as an independent military force was now concluded.

The SDF's integration into the Syrian army comes after a complex political transition in Syria following the ouster of former President Bashar Assad. The new interim government, led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa, has sought to integrate various factions, including the Kurdish-led SDF. This move also follows a decree issued by al-Sharaa during ceasefire negotiations that strengthened Kurdish rights, making Kurdish an official language alongside Arabic and reinstating citizenship for tens of thousands of Kurds.

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The SDF carried a heavy responsibility during one of the most difficult periods in Syria's history.

Historically, under the Assad dynasty, Kurds faced marginalization, with many denied citizenship and cultural practices suppressed. The SDF emerged in the vacuum left by government forces' withdrawal from northeastern Syria in 2011, eventually controlling about 25% of the country. Their integration into the national army represents a significant shift, aiming to unify the country under a new political order, though questions remain about the extent of true representation for Kurds in the new government.

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Its dissolution as an independent military force.