**Title: Syria’s President Appoints Former SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi as Advisor**
**Date: August 27, 2026**
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has appointed Mazloum Abdi, the former commander of the now-dissolved Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as an advisor to the presidency. The announcement was made on Thursday through Decree No. 164, as reported by the Syrian state news agency Sana.
This appointment comes shortly after Abdi declared the dissolution of the SDF and the completion of its integration into the Syrian military. The SDF, which had been a significant military force in the region, is now officially under the control of the Syrian government, marking a pivotal shift in the dynamics of power within the country.
Abdi's new role is part of a broader strategy by President al-Sharaa to consolidate control over Syria, particularly following the SDF's integration into the central government. This move has been seen as a crucial step in al-Sharaa's efforts to unify the country after years of conflict. The SDF's dissolution leaves the Syrian government with formal authority over nearly all of Syria, a significant milestone for al-Sharaa, who has made national reunification a central promise since the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
The advisory position offered to Abdi is notably less prominent than the roles initially proposed by al-Sharaa earlier this year. In January, the president had suggested appointing Abdi as deputy defense minister and nominating him as the governor of Hasakah province, a strategic area previously controlled by the SDF. However, the recent appointment indicates a shift in the government's approach to integrating Kurdish leadership into its ranks.
Abdi is not the only Kurdish figure to be appointed to state positions; another commander was designated as assistant defense minister for the eastern region earlier in the year. This trend reflects the Syrian government's attempts to incorporate Kurdish leaders into its administration following the SDF's dissolution.
The agreement to integrate the SDF into the Syrian military was first reached in March 2025. However, progress on this front was slow, leading to military confrontations in northeastern Syria earlier this year, where Syrian state forces captured key cities such as Raqqa and Deir Az Zor from the SDF. A ceasefire agreement subsequently placed these cities, along with Hasakah, under the control of the central government, while committing the SDF to join the defense and interior ministries under a 14-point plan.
Despite the integration of the SDF, one significant Kurdish-led force, the Women's Protection Units (YPJ), has yet to be absorbed into the Syrian military structure. The YPJ has expressed a desire to join the defense ministry but has been informed that the current military framework does not accommodate women’s units.
In addition to military reforms, President al-Sharaa has also taken steps toward recognizing Kurdish rights within Syria. Earlier this year, he issued a decree that acknowledged Kurdish as a national language and restored citizenship to Syrian Kurds, marking the first formal recognition of Kurdish rights since Syria's independence in 1946.
The dissolution of the SDF and the appointment of Abdi as an advisor signal a significant transformation in the governance and military landscape of Syria. As the country continues to navigate the aftermath of a prolonged conflict, the integration of Kurdish forces into the Syrian military and the recognition of Kurdish rights may play a critical role in shaping the future of Syria's national unity and stability.