Mazloum Abdi Leads SDF Towards Integration and a New Era of Peace

Kurdistan 11:50 AM - 2026-08-28

Mazloum Abdi.

The Syrian political landscape has witnessed significant developments following a series of intensive meetings in Damascus aimed at implementing the terms of the 29 January agreement between the Syrian Interim Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

The developments culminated in a series of presidential and executive decrees covering senior appointments, the integration of military forces into state institutions, and historic measures to protect cultural and linguistic rights.

Mazloum Abdi Appointed Presidential Advisor

President of the Syrian Arab Republic Ahmed al-Sharaa issued Decree No. 164 of 2026, appointing Mustafa Khalil Abdi (Mazloum Abdi) as an advisor to the Presidency as part of efforts to manage the transitional phase and broaden national participation.

SDF Integration Marks Move Towards Peace and Stability

On Tuesday, 25 August 2026, Mazloum Abdi, Commander-in-Chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces, announced the end of the SDF’s role as an independent military force and its full integration into state institutions.

In a speech, Abdi described the move as the beginning of a new chapter centred on peace and stability, stressing that it marked a genuine transition from battlefields and weapons towards peace, reconstruction and stability.

Abdi also affirmed that the right to education in one’s mother tongue is among the most important rights the Kurdish people have sought for decades. He noted the open stance he had observed from the Presidency regarding the future development of the decision.

Regional and International Support

The decision to integrate military forces into state institutions received broad regional and international support, with several countries welcoming the move and stressing the importance of Syria’s stability.

United Kingdom and France: French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the move, describing it as a boost to Syria’s stability. The UK’s Acting Special Envoy for Syria, Barry Peach, said that ending military autonomy and integrating the forces into state institutions represented a pivotal step towards a peaceful and unified Syria.

Qatar and Saudi Arabia: Doha described the integration as a fundamental step towards consolidating civil peace and establishing the state’s monopoly over weapons through a unified army. Riyadh reiterated its support for Syria’s unity, development and security.

Jordan: Amman reaffirmed its full support for Syria’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.

Kurdish Language Teaching Approved in Schools

In a move aimed at promoting cultural diversity in education, Syria’s Ministry of Education decided to introduce Kurdish-language teaching in public and private schools.

Following the outbreak of the Syrian revolution in 2011, Kurdish communities focused on defending Kurdish-majority areas and established an autonomous administration to govern and protect them.

Amid the rise of the terrorist organisation ISIS, the Syrian Democratic Forces were formed in 2015 as a military alliance led by the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), with support from the US-led international coalition.

The SDF subsequently became the principal force in the fight against ISIS, playing a key role in major battles and operations, including those in Kobani, Raqqa and Baghouz.


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