SDF integration into Syrian state complete: Abdi

QAMISHLI

Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander-in-chief Mazloum Abdi, speaks during a press conference in Syria's northeastern city of Hasakeh on Dec. 6, 2024. (AFP)

 The military, security and administrative structures of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Kurdish-led administration have completed their integration into Syrian state institutions, SDF commander Mazloum Abdi has said.

“The phase of integrating military, security and administrative institutions into national state institutions is complete and finished,” Abdi said at a ceremony on Aug. 20.

Abdi said SDF and Asayish internal security units had been incorporated into the Syrian defense and interior ministries, opening a new phase in relations with Damascus.

He did not provide details of the new command arrangements.

The Jan. 29 accord required non-Syrian members of the PKK to leave Syrian territory.

Türkiye regards the YPG, the main component of the SDF, as the PKK’s Syrian branch.

The PKK is designated as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States and the European Union.

Abdi said institutions established under the Kurdish-led administration would continue operating within Syrian state structures.

Hasakeh Deputy Governor Ahmad al-Hilali, a spokesman for the presidential team overseeing the agreement, described Abdi’s announcement as an important and positive development.

He said it marked a transition from negotiations to the implementation of integration within Syrian state institutions.