Syria’s Sharaa appoints former Kurdish force commander as presidential adviser

Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa has appointed Mazloum Abdi, the former commander of the Kurdish led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as a presidential adviser, marking a significant step toward reconciliation between former civil war adversaries.

Abdi led the SDF for more than a decade as the group, backed by the United States, fought Islamic State and controlled large areas of northern and eastern Syria.

The appointment follows the formal dissolution of the SDF as part of an agreement to integrate its fighters and institutions into Syria’s central government in Damascus. The integration process had stalled for more than a year before renewed fighting in January pushed both sides toward a phased agreement.

Abdi announced the SDF’s dissolution earlier this week, describing it as the beginning of a new phase of peace and participation in rebuilding Syria.

Sharaa issued a decree announcing Abdi’s new role, although it was not immediately clear how much authority the presidential adviser position would carry.

The development comes after years of hostility between the Kurdish led forces and Syria’s new Islamist led government. Sharaa came to power after former President Bashar al Assad was ousted in late 2024 by a rebel coalition led by Sharaa.

Under the integration agreement, SDF fighters are being incorporated into Syria’s Defence Ministry, while some senior Kurdish figures have also been given positions within the new government.

Turkey, a close ally of Sharaa, welcomed the SDF’s dissolution. Ankara has long accused the group of having links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

The future role of the SDF’s female fighters remains unresolved, as Syria’s armed forces currently have no female troops.