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Syrian President Appoints Kurdish Leader Mazloum Abdi as Presidential Adviser
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Elections & Politics

Syrian President Appoints Kurdish Leader Mazloum Abdi as Presidential Adviser

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa appointed Kurdish leader Mazloum Abdi as a presidential adviser.
  • This appointment follows Abdi's announcement of the dissolution of his Kurdish forces, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), under a deal with Damascus.
  • The integration aims to extend state control and incorporate Kurdish forces into the Syrian army, a move seen as a significant victory for the new authorities but an end to Kurdish autonomy hopes.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has appointed Kurdish leader Mazloum Abdi as a presidential adviser, a move that formalizes a significant integration deal between Kurdish forces and the Damascus government. The decree, published by state news agency SANA, comes days after Abdi announced the dissolution of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

Mustafa Khalil Abdi is appointed as adviser to the presidency of the republic.

— Syrian state mediaAnnouncing the appointment of Mazloum Abdi as presidential adviser.

Abdi, formerly the leader of the SDF, a group backed by Washington and instrumental in the fight against ISIS, has been integrated into the Syrian state apparatus. This integration is part of a broader effort by Syria's new authorities, who took power in December 2024, to consolidate control over the entire country. The deal represents a major win for President Sharaa but marks a departure from long-held Kurdish aspirations for autonomy.

this is what real integration looks like... former counterparts with differing points of view crafting a diplomatic solution to strengthen the sovereign nation of Syria

— Tom BarrackCommenting on the integration deal between Kurdish forces and the Syrian government.

U.S. special envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, described the integration as "real integration" and a diplomatic solution to strengthen Syria. He noted that securing substantive roles for partners like Abdi respects their leadership and sacrifices. Abdi stated that the SDF's dissolution followed the completion of the process to integrate their forces into the Syrian army brigades.

Securing substantive roles for our valued partners" including Abdi within the government "pays due respect to their leadership, the sacrifices of our Kurdish partners, and the constructive contribution they have made to regional stability

— Tom BarrackFurther elaborating on the significance of integrating partners like Abdi into the government.

The SDF was formed in 2015 with U.S. support, recognizing the effectiveness of Kurdish fighters against ISIS. However, the integration deal was solidified following clashes in January that saw Kurdish forces lose territory to government troops, and as Washington shifted its focus toward the new Damascus authorities. Earlier this year, Sharaa signed a decree recognizing Kurdish as a national language and enshrining Kurdish national rights, an unprecedented step for Syria since its independence.

the completion of the process of integrating our forces into the brigades of the Syrian army

— Mazloum AbdiExplaining the reason behind the SDF's dissolution.
About this summary

Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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