As part of efforts to strengthen the presence of state institutions across Syria, President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Mazloum Abdi, commander of the dissolved SDF, met at the People’s Palace in the capital, Damascus. The meeting, held on Tuesday, addressed the SDF’s integration into state institutions and the steps to be taken in the coming period.
Syrian Foreign and Expatriate Affairs Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Deir ez-Zor Governor Ziyad al-Ayesh also attended the meeting. The Syrian Presidency said the talks focused on strengthening the state’s presence and supporting security and stability.
Abdi announces dissolution and full integration
At a news conference held at the People’s Palace on the day of the meeting, Abdi announced that the SDF would be dissolved and fully incorporated into Syrian state institutions. Speaking about the future of the SDF, which he described as a structure led by the YPG in Syria, Abdi said an important chapter in history had come to an end.
Abdi said the new period would begin with peace, stability and reconstruction. He also said that Sharaa had stated on various occasions that the right to education in Kurdish would be protected, adding that they had seen an open approach on the issue and expected the decision to be developed in the future.
Decree on Kurdish rights
In mid-January, Sharaa issued a decree guaranteeing the rights and certain distinct characteristics of Kurds. The decree described Syrian Kurds as a fundamental and integral part of the Syrian people, while recognizing their cultural and linguistic identities as inseparable elements of Syria’s plural and unified national identity.
Following the decree, Sharaa called on Kurds to participate actively in building the country and protecting its security. He also stressed the need to preserve Syria’s unity and security.
Terms of the March 10, 2025 agreement
The agreement signed between the SDF and the Syrian government on March 10, 2025, provided for the incorporation of civilian and military institutions in the northeastern regions into state administration. The text also called for the reopening of border crossings, an airport, and oil and natural gas fields in those areas.
The agreement emphasized Syria’s territorial integrity and provided for SDF forces to withdraw from Aleppo to the east of the Euphrates River. The SDF had previously stepped back from implementing the terms of the agreement.
The Syrian government has been working to strengthen security and stability in the country since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government on December 8, 2024.
