Mazlum Abdi: SDF to join Syrian Army as four brigades

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press 

 MUNICH, GERMANY —  Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) leader Mazlum Abdi announced on Monday that his fighters will integrate into the Syrian Defense Ministry as four organized brigades, marking a pivotal step in the country's military restructuring.

Speaking to DW during a surprise visit to the Munich Security Conference (MSC), Abdi revealed that the agreement with the new Damascus administration focuses on incorporation rather than dissolution. This transition follows a period of intense diplomatic maneuvering and recent territorial shifts in northern Syria.

Integration into the Syrian Defense Ministry

The primary point of contention in long-standing negotiations has been whether the tens of thousands of SDF members would join the army as individuals or as cohesive units. Abdi confirmed that the January 29 agreement settled this dispute.

“It has been decided that the SDF will not be disbanded but will be integrated into the Syrian Defense Ministry,” Abdi stated. He noted that the forces would serve as “four brigades,” maintaining their organizational structure under formal government command. This move is seen as a way to preserve the command experience of the SDF while providing the central government with the military monopoly it has long demanded.

Dialogue with Ankara and the Ocalan factor

In a notable shift in rhetoric, Abdi observed a “limited but positive” change in Ankara’s stance toward the SDF. He emphasized that since the initial March 2025 memorandum with Damascus, Kurdish-led forces have not posed a threat to Turkish security.

The SDF commander attributed much of this regional thawing to the ongoing peace process between the Turkish state and the PKK. “The negotiations have a positive impact on the integration of our forces with the Syrian state,” Abdi said, specifically highlighting the "constructive role" of Abdullah Öcalan. Abdi reiterated his desire to visit Öcalan at İmralı Prison if the Turkish government grants permission.

Regional models and political rights

During his time in Munich, Abdi held high-level discussions with Syrian Foreign Minister Hasan Şeybani and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. While the military integration is advancing, the "national rights" of the Kurdish people remain a matter for the next phase of negotiations.

When asked if the Iraqi Kurdistan model could be applied to Syria, Abdi described it as "very successful" and indicated that they would benefit from its experience, though he avoided specific details on administrative autonomy. This diplomatic outreach comes after a volatile winter where the SDF lost significant territory following the collapse of a previous ceasefire in late 2025.

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