Conflict & Security
Syrian Democratic Forces dissolve under Damascus deal
Syrian Democratic Forces leader Mazloum Abdi announced on Aug. 25 that the Kurdish-led force was dissolving as an independent military force under a deal with Syria's government, saying its fighters had been integrated into Syrian army brigades.
Abdi made the announcement in a televised speech at the presidential palace in Damascus. He said the SDF's mission had ended and that the force was no longer operating independently.
US special envoy to Syria and Iraq Tom Barrack praised the disbandment, saying the former counterparts had reached a diplomatic solution aimed at strengthening Syria as one state with one army and one government.
The SDF was formed in 2015 at the instigation of the United States after Kurdish fighters defeated the Islamic State group in Kobane. It became Washington's main local partner against IS and spearheaded the campaign that ended the group's territorial control in Syria four years later.
At its peak, the force had about 100,000 fighters, including Kurds and Arabs, and controlled parts of Syria's oil-rich north and northeast.
The integration follows January clashes in which Kurdish forces lost large areas to government troops and a later agreement to fold Kurdish military and civilian institutions into the state. During the violence, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa signed a decree enshrining Kurds' national rights and recognising Kurdish as a national language.
Syria specialist Fabrice Balanche said Arabs within the SDF defected after Sharaa's army took control of the previously Kurdish-held provinces of Raqa and Deir Ezzor, leaving the force at about half its strength.
Turkey has long viewed the SDF as linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, which waged a decades-long insurgency in Turkey. The January agreement with Damascus says the SDF must expel all non-Syrian PKK leaders and members from Syria.
Abdi said last week that the integration of the Kurdish administration with the Syrian state was complete, while adding that efforts to secure Kurdish rights in the constitution would continue.
The SDF's integration strengthens Sharaa's effort to consolidate control over Syria since Bashar al-Assad was ousted in late 2024.
Update
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa signed a decree during January violence enshrining Kurds' national rights and recognising Kurdish as a national language, according to the AFP item.
Abdi said last week that the integration of the Kurdish administration with the Syrian state was complete.
The AFP item includes US special envoy Tom Barrack's statement praising the disbandment as integration into one army, one government and one state.
Source note: AFP news report published on 25 August 2026 at 21:29:49 UTC.
Update
A US envoy hailed the dissolution of the Kurdish-led force in Syria.
Source note: AFP news report published on 25 August 2026 at 20:52:03 UTC.
Update
Analyst Mutlu Civiroglu said the SDF dissolution marked a bitter end and the end of Kurdish strength in Syria.
International Crisis Group analyst Nanar Hawach said non-Syrian PKK-linked figures in SDF-related command and administrative roles were estimated in the hundreds to low thousands.
Mazloum Abdi said earlier in August that fighters from other parts of Kurdistan had withdrawn from the region at the SDF's request and under a practical plan.
The source adds that the SDF's integration into the Syrian state is a major victory for President Ahmed al-Sharaa as he seeks to consolidate control.
Source note: AFP news report published on 25 August 2026 at 19:59:24 UTC.
Update
Mazloum Abdi said the dissolution followed the completion of integrating SDF forces into Syrian army brigades.
Abdi said Syria had entered a new phase marked by peace and participation.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa signed a decree during January violence enshrining Kurdish national rights and recognising Kurdish as a national language.
Syria specialist Fabrice Balanche said Arab defections after government advances in Raqa and Deir Ezzor left the SDF at about half its former strength.
Abdi said last week that integration of the Kurdish administration with the Syrian state was complete and that Kurdish political demands would continue through the constitution.
Source note: AFP news report published on 25 August 2026 at 18:48:33 UTC.
Update
Mazloum Abdi announced on Aug. 25 that the Syrian Democratic Forces' mission had ended.
Abdi declared the SDF's dissolution as an independent military force.
The announcement was made in a televised speech at the presidential palace as part of a deal with the new authorities in Damascus.
Source note: AFP news report published on 25 August 2026 at 18:24:59 UTC.
Update
The January agreement requires the SDF to expel all non-Syrian PKK leaders and members from Syria.
Mazloum Abdi said thousands of Kurdish men and women from other parts of Kurdistan had supported the SDF and that, at the SDF's request, those forces withdrew under a practical plan.
International Crisis Group analyst Nanar Hawach said non-Syrian PKK-linked figures were limited in number but held significant command and administrative influence, estimating them at hundreds to low thousands.
The PKK formally renounced its armed struggle against Turkey in May 2025 after a call by its jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan.
Source note: AFP news report published on 20 August 2026 at 22:26:47 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The supplied material relies on Abdi's announcement for the completion of SDF integration into Syrian army brigades.
The practical scope and timetable of the expulsion of non-Syrian PKK leaders and members under the January agreement are not detailed.
Source
AFP news report published on .