Kurdish-Led SDF Formally Dissolves And Merges Into Syrian Army
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander Mazloum Abdi announced in Damascus on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, that the SDF has dissolved and merged into the Syrian army.[1]
Abdi said the merger completes integration with the Syrian army and ends the SDF's role as an independent military force.[1] The SDF once controlled roughly 25% of Syrian territory and had been the main U.S. partner against the Islamic State group.[1]
In January 2026 a Syrian government offensive seized most of the SDF's northeast holdings and set the stage for a merger agreement.[1] At January ceasefire talks, interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa issued a decree making Kurdish an official language, adopting Nowruz as a national holiday, and restoring citizenship to tens of thousands of Kurds in Hassakeh province.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Tuesday, August 25, 2026, SDF commander Mazloum Abdi announced in Damascus that the Syrian Democratic Forces have officially dissolved.
- Abdi said the SDF has completed a merger with the Syrian army and will no longer operate as an independent military force.
- The SDF once controlled roughly 25% of Syria and served as the main U.S. partner against the Islamic State group in Syria.
- The Kurdish-led force lost most of its northeast Syria territory to a Syrian government offensive in January 2026 before signing a merger deal.
- During January ceasefire talks, interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa issued a decree making Kurdish an official language, adopting Nowruz as a national holiday, and restoring citizenship to tens of thousands of Kurds in Hassakeh province.
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