In a news conference at the presidential palace in Damascus, Mazloum Abdi, commander of the Kurdish‑led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), declared that the militia has completed a merger with the Syrian army and will cease to operate as an independent force. The announcement marks the end of the SDF’s de‑facto autonomous zone in northeast Syria, which once covered roughly a quarter of the country.
Background and recent developments
The SDF was the primary partner of the United States in the fight against the Islamic State group. After the ouster of former President Bashar Assad in December 2024, Washington shifted its ties to the new interim government led by Ahmad al‑Sharaa, a former Islamist insurgent leader. The SDF lost most of its territory to a government offensive in January and subsequently agreed to the merger.
Government concessions to Kurdish communities
Al‑Sharaa’s administration has taken steps to address longstanding Kurdish grievances. A decree issued during cease‑fire talks granted Kurdish official language status alongside Arabic, recognized Nowruz as a national holiday, and restored citizenship to tens of thousands of Kurds in Hassakeh province who were stripped of it in the 1962 census. The interim president also pledged Kurdish‑language education.
Implications and unanswered questions
The integration is presented by Damascus as a “new phase of peace and participation” for Syria. Supporters argue it strengthens national unity after a 14‑year civil war. Critics note concerns about the fate of the SDF’s all‑female fighting units, given the conservative background of many government leaders who oppose women in combat.
While most of Syria now lies under central government control, the southern province of Sweida remains under Druze factions that have clashed with Damascus and receive support from Israel, which continues to occupy a strip of land near the Golan Heights.
Observers will watch how the merger impacts Kurdish representation, regional stability, and the broader effort to rebuild a war‑torn nation.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
