Syrian Kurdish Forces Leader Announces Dissolution of SDF Troops

Mazloum Abdi, the commander of the Syrian Kurdish forces (SDF), has declared the end of his troops' mission, announcing their dissolution as an independent military power. This move follows an agreement with President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who is committed to reunifying Syria.

"We announce today the end of the mission of the Syrian Democratic Forces. In all responsibility, we declare that they are dissolved as an independent military force," Abdi stated during a speech at the presidential palace in Damascus. Earlier in the month, Abdi had indicated that SDF units would be integrated into official Syrian institutions after months of negotiations with the national administration.

The SDF was established in 2015 with the initiative of the United States and became a crucial ally for Washington in the fight against the Islamic State in Syria. At their peak, the forces numbered around 100,000 fighters, comprising both Kurds and Arabs, and they controlled vast, oil-rich territories in northern and northeastern Syria.

Abdi acknowledged the heavy responsibility shouldered by SDF fighters during one of Syria's most difficult periods. He noted their role in liberating numerous Syrian cities and villages, first from the Ba'ath regime and subsequently from the terrorism of Daesh (the Arabic acronym for IS). However, since the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad's regime in 2024, the U.S. has increasingly sought cooperation with the Syrian government rather than the SDF. In January of this year, President Al-Sharaa pledged greater rights to Kurds in Syria, a key objective for the SDF.

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We announce today the end of the mission of the Syrian Democratic Forces. In all responsibility, we declare that they are dissolved as an independent military force.