Mazloum Abdi, commander-in-chief of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), announced the dissolution of the group on Tuesday, August 25th, 2026, in a televised speech from the presidential palace in Damascus. The announcement followed the integration of SDF fighters into the brigades of the Syrian army, a move Abdi described as the completion of their mission as an independent military force.

Formed in 2015 at the instigation of the United States, the SDF was a Washington-backed coalition that played a pivotal role in defeating the Islamic State (IS) group, notably in the northern city of Kobane. Abdi highlighted that since its creation, the SDF had shouldered "a heavy responsibility during one of the most difficult periods" for Syria.

The dissolution represents a major victory for Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who during the conflict signed a decree enshrining Kurdish national rights and recognizing Kurdish as a national language—an unprecedented step since Syria's independence in 1946. However, the SDF has faced challenges, including mass defections of Arab members after Sharaa's forces took control of the formerly Kurdish-held provinces of Raqa and Deir Ezzor, reducing the SDF's strength by half, according to Syria specialist Fabrice Balanche.

Abdi stated, "The circumstances have changed today and the country has entered a new phase characterised by peace and participation." The SDF’s fighters, once Syria’s most highly-trained and organized paramilitary force, were dropped by Washington in favor of the new US-friendly authorities in Damascus following the ousting of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in late 2024.

The SDF had liberated many Syrian cities and towns, first from the Baathist regime and then from the terrorism of Daesh (ISIS), underscoring their significant role in Syria's recent history.

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