Syrian president names ex-Kurdish-led force commander as advisor

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has appointed Mazloum Abdi, the former commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), to the role of presidential advisor. This significant appointment comes only three days after the SDF announced its dissolution.

The move appears to signal a shift in the political and military landscape of Syria. Abdi was a key figure in the SDF, which played a crucial role in fighting the Islamic State group in the country's northeast. His transition to an advisory role within the Syrian presidency suggests a potential realignment of forces and allegiances.

The SDF's dissolution itself marks the end of an era for a force that has been central to the U.S.-led coalition's operations against ISIS. The reasons behind the dissolution and Abdi's subsequent appointment are likely complex, potentially involving internal negotiations, regional pressures, and evolving geopolitical strategies.