Kurdish-led SDF has dissolved, but has Syria really unified its military?

The dissolution of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces has been welcomed by governments across the region, marking a major shift in Syria’s postwar political and military landscape. SDF commander Mazloum Abdi announced the group would end its existence as an independent military force after completing its integration into the Syrian army. The SDF once controlled nearly a quarter of Syria, including much of the resource-rich northeast, and was a key US partner in the fight against ISIL. It also backed a Kurdish-led autonomous administration that operated in the region for about a decade. That autonomy suffered a major setback in January when Syrian government forces recaptured large areas, prompting an agreement for the SDF to integrate into state institutions. Former SDF fighters are now being trained to serve in three Kurdish brigades within the Syrian army, while the group’s women fighters are expected to join the Interior Ministry as police officers. Questions remain over how the agreement will be implemented, including the future of Kurdish political aspirations, language rights and thousands of former fighters and civilian employees. The development also comes as Türkiye pursues its own peace process with the PKK, potentially reshaping the wider Kurdish political landscape. Al Jazeera’s Heidi Pett reports from Damascus. Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X: https://X.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.news/AJEMobile #Syria #SDF #SyrianGovernment #SyrianArmy #MazloumAbdi #SyrianDemocraticForces #SDFDissolution #SDFIntegration #SyrianKurds #KurdishForces #AhmedAlSharaa #NortheastSyria #KurdishRights