Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has appointed the former leader of a disbanded Kurdish-led fighting force as a presidential adviser, signaling a reconciliation between the two historic adversaries in the country’s civil war. Over the past decade, Mazloum Abdi commanded the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which collaborated with the U.S. in the battle against the Islamic State, capturing significant territories in northern and eastern Syria to establish a semi-autonomous region. Following the removal of former president Bashar al-Assad in late 2024 by a rebel coalition led by Sharaa, Syria’s new Islamist-led government insisted on the integration of SDF-controlled territories and institutions into the national framework.
The integration process faced obstacles until a swift offensive by Syrian government forces against Abdi’s fighters in January paved the way for a plan to merge the SDF with the authorities in Damascus. Abdi announced the formal dissolution of the SDF, marking the beginning of a new era focused on peace and contributing to the reconstruction of Syria. Sharaa issued a decree appointing Abdi as a presidential adviser, although the specific nature of his role remains unclear.
Under Abdi’s leadership, the SDF and its affiliated entities introduced inclusive governing structures with male-female co-chairs to promote gender equality. The group battled against extremist factions like the Islamic State and al-Qaeda’s local branch, once led by Sharaa before he disassociated from the group. As part of the integration process, SDF fighters are being integrated into Syria’s Defense Ministry, including key individuals who had previously criticized the Syrian government.
The fate of female SDF fighters within the national armed forces, which currently lack female personnel, is yet to be determined. Turkey, a key ally of Sharaa, welcomed the dissolution of the SDF, which it had long accused of having ties to its banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants.