Syrian Democratic Forces Dissolved Amid Integration into National Army

In a historic announcement, Mazloum Abdi, the commander-in-chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), declared the group's dissolution during a televised address from the presidential palace in Damascus. This decision comes as SDF fighters are integrated into the Syrian military, marking a significant achievement for President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Abdi stated, "We announce today the end of the mission of the Syrian Democratic Forces and declare, with full responsibility, their dissolution as an independent military force," indicating that the integration process has been finalized. The SDF, which was established in 2015 and played a crucial role in combating the Islamic State (IS), peaked with around 100,000 fighters, comprising both Kurds and Arabs.

As part of a recent agreement, the SDF’s structure will now align with the Syrian state, a move seen as a direct response to pressures from the government. This agreement follows a series of conflicts that led to significant territorial losses for the SDF against Syrian government forces.

In a notable development, President al-Sharaa recently issued a decree recognizing Kurdish rights and declaring Kurdish a national language, a historic first in Syria since its independence in 1946. However, the integration deal has dealt a significant blow to the Kurdish aspirations for autonomy, effectively marking the end of their independent military presence.

Despite the dissolution, Abdi emphasized that the Kurdish struggle will persist, aiming to secure their rights within the constitution. As the landscape in Syria continues to evolve post-Assad, the fate of the Kurdish population remains uncertain.

Source: www.france24.com