SDF commander Mazloum Abdi announced overnight the full dissolution of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and autonomous administration, merging into Syrian state institutions and military. According to Syrian reports, Abdi's conditions for the merger include local command of integrated forces, Kurdish language rights, and constitutional protections. Analyst Chananel Aviv assesses that the move marks the end of Kurdish autonomy after a Turkish-backed offensive, but notes that key Kurdish demands face significant obstacles from Ankara and Damascus.
Mazloum Abdi, commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), announced overnight the full dissolution of the Kurdish-led autonomous administration and its military forces, with complete integration into the Syrian state institutions and army. The declaration was made following negotiations with the administration of President Ahmad al-Sharaa.
According to Syrian reports, Abdi's demands for the merger include the integration of SDF and Asayish internal security forces into the army and interior ministry under local Kurdish command; the establishment of a Kurdish military brigade for the Afrin region; a ban on new military forces entering Hasaka and Qamishli; flying the Kurdish flag alongside the Syrian flag; Kurdish-language education; renaming the state to the 'Syrian Republic'; allocation of oil revenues; and enshrining Kurdish rights in the constitution.
Analyst Chananel Aviv assesses that while the announcement is an achievement for Abdi, many of these demands conflict with Turkish and Syrian regime interests and are unlikely to be fully implemented. Aviv notes that the dissolution caps a period of rapid territorial losses for the Kurdish administration following a Turkish-backed Sunni offensive, backed by a green light from the Trump administration. He warns that the al-Sharaa regime's next target may be the Druze city of Suwayda, where similar demands for disarmament and integration — or a military conquest — are expected.
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