Key facts
- Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa appointed Mazloum Abdi as a presidential adviser.
- Abdi previously led the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
- The SDF and the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) were dissolved.
- SDF military and administrative structures have been integrated into Syrian state institutions.
- The integration followed agreements made in March 2025 and January 2026.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has appointed Mazloum Abdi, the former commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as an adviser to the presidency. The appointment, formalized by Decree No. 164 of 2026, follows the recent dissolution of the SDF and the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) as independent entities.
Abdi announced the dissolution of the SDF and AANES on August 25, 2026, bringing their military and civilian institutions under Syrian state authority. This move integrates SDF fighters into Syrian army brigades, ending the force's independent operations. The dissolution is a culmination of integration agreements, including one from March 2025 and a subsequent one in January 2026, which stipulated the incorporation of SDF military and administrative structures into state institutions. These agreements also covered the transfer of control over oil fields, border crossings, prisons, and AANES-run facilities in northeastern Syria to the state, while guaranteeing citizenship and political rights for Kurds.
Mazloum Abdi, born Mustafa Khalil Abdi in 1967, has a long history in Kurdish politics and military leadership. He previously led the SDF since 2015, having been recommended for the role by the US Army and the Kurdistan Regional Government's intelligence service. His earlier career included involvement with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and military operations in Iraq. He was appointed Adviser to the Presidency of the Republic on August 26, 2026, succeeding a position that was established following the integration process.