On Tuesday, August 25, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), led by the Kurdish people, announced their dissolution, with their troops successfully integrated into the Syrian National Army. This marks a significant development following the armed integration agreement reached between the Syrian government and the SDF in January of this year.
SDF commander Mazloum Abdi made the announcement during a televised speech at the People’s Palace in Damascus, declaring the end of the mission of the Syrian Democratic Forces as an independent military force.
Abdi stated that after reaching an agreement with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and completing the integration of the forces, the mission of the SDF has come to an end. The Syrian state news agency SANA also confirmed that the SDF has been fully integrated into various brigades of the Syrian army.
The SDF is a multi-ethnic armed force primarily led by Kurdish fighters, with the inclusion of Arab and other ethnic groups. Since its establishment in 2015, the SDF has been supported by the United States in their fight against ISIS and has previously controlled vast territories in northern and eastern Syria.
In January of this year, an agreement was reached between the Syrian government and the SDF to gradually incorporate the military forces and civil institutions of the SDF into the national system. At the time, the United States hailed this agreement as a “historic milestone.”
Prior to the agreement, armed clashes had erupted between the Syrian government forces and the SDF in January. Subsequently, the government forces gained control of most areas previously held by the SDF. A ceasefire was later agreed upon, accelerating the process of armed forces integration.
The core force of the SDF, the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), has also begun to participate in the integration process. Their commander, Sipan Hamo, was appointed as the Syrian Deputy Minister of Defense in charge of affairs in the eastern region in March of this year.
As the SDF dissolves, the new Syrian government is swiftly integrating various armed forces within the country, working towards the restoration of national institutions. Since the outbreak of civil war in 2011, Syria has been embroiled in prolonged armed conflicts and faced international isolation during the tenure of former President Bashar al-Assad.
Currently, the transitional government led by Sharaa is promoting political transition, integrating armed forces, and reconstruction efforts in the country, while actively seeking to improve relations with Western countries, including the United States. On August 24, the U.S. officially revoked its designation of Syria as a “state sponsor of terrorism,” further improving relations between Washington and Damascus, creating conditions for Syria’s economic recovery and attracting external investments.
(This article is based on reports from Reuters)