The commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Mazloum Abdi, has announced a “preliminary agreement” with the Syrian government to integrate SDF fighters into a unified military structure within the Syrian army, according to Al Hadath.
In an interview with the Associated Press (AP) on Thursday, Abdi discussed what could be a breakthrough after months of stalled negotiations between the U.S.-backed SDF and the central government in Damascus.
One of the main sticking points in the talks has been how the SDF which is supported by the United States and numbers in the tens of thousands would be integrated into the Syrian military: either as a structured unit or through individual absorption of its members, as has been the case with other armed groups in the past.
Abdi emphasized that due to the SDF’s size and significance, it could not be integrated on an individual basis like smaller factions. Instead, it must join the army as large, organized units, in line with the rules of the Ministry of Defense.
He added, “We expect that SDF members and commanders who join the army will be granted important positions within the Ministry of Defense and the military hierarchy.”
Furthermore, he revealed that police forces operating in northeastern Syria will also be merged with the government's security services as part of a broader effort to centralize military and security institutions.
Regarding delays in implementing the agreement reached on March 10, the SDF commander explained that recent events in Syria’s coastal region and in Sweida had slowed the process. Speaking to Al Hadath, he said: “We believe that if progress is made on the March agreement and all of its clauses are concretely implemented, we can prevent the recurrence of such events.”
Abdi also disclosed that he recently met in Damascus with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, as well as the foreign and defense ministers. He described the meeting as “positive” and a turning point in the long-stalled negotiations.
For years, talks between Damascus and Kurdish authorities in the northeast have repeatedly faltered over issues of sovereignty and command. The agreement now on the table could mark a significant breakthrough in relations between the two sides.
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