Syrian Kurdish SDF Dissolves After Integration Into Army

The Syrian Democratic Forces, the Kurdish-led paramilitary group that spearheaded the fight against the Islamic State, officially dissolved on Tuesday, marking the end of its existence as an independent military force. The announcement was made by SDF commander Mazloum Abdi during a televised address at the presidential palace in Damascus, following the completion of its integration into the Syrian army.

"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," Abdi stated. He explained that the decision came after the process of integrating SDF forces into Syrian army brigades was finished. The dissolution also encompasses the absorption of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria and its affiliated civilian and security institutions into the central state structure.

The move is a major step in the new government's effort to restore unified state authority across Syria following the ouster of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in late 2024. The SDF, formed in 2015 with U.S. backing, had been Washington's principal partner on the ground against the Islamic State...