Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has appointed a former leader of a disbanded Kurdish-led combat group as a presidential consultant, signaling a reconciliation between the two historic adversaries of the civil war. Mazloum Abdi, who commanded the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) for over a decade, collaborated with the U.S. in combatting the Islamic State and gaining control over extensive regions in northern and eastern Syria to establish a semi-autonomous region. Following the overthrow of former President Bashar al-Assad in late 2024 by a rebel coalition led by Sharaa, the new Islamist-led government of Syria emphasized the necessity of integrating SDF-controlled territories and institutions into the state.
The integration process faced delays until a swift offensive by Syrian government forces in January against Abdi’s fighters led to a roadmap for merging the SDF into the authorities based in Damascus. Abdi recently declared the formal dissolution of the SDF, marking the beginning of a new era focused on “peace and engagement in the reconstruction of the new Syria.” His appointment as a presidential adviser was announced through a decree issued by Sharaa, although the specific nature of his role remains unclear.
Under Abdi’s leadership, the SDF and its associated entities implemented governance systems featuring co-chaired structures by both male and female individuals to promote equality. The group actively combated extremist factions, including the Islamic State and al-Qaeda’s local division, once led by Sharaa before his disassociation from the organization. As part of the integration process, SDF fighters are being absorbed into Syria’s Defense Ministry, including prominent figures who had previously criticized the Syrian government.
During the January clashes, prominent Kurdish commander Sipan Hamo suggested Israeli airstrikes on Syrian forces. Following the integration agreement announcement, he was designated as the deputy defense minister. The issue of integrating female SDF fighters into the national armed forces, which currently lack female personnel, remains unresolved. Turkey, a key ally of Sharaa, has welcomed the dissolution of the SDF, which it had long accused of having ties to its outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militant organization.
