The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF [7]) formally dissolved on Aug. 25, as the commander announced completion of the regional Kurdish-led army's integration into the Syrian national army. The move ends the existence of the force that served as Washington's main partner against ISIS in Syria and once controlled a large autonomous zone [7] in the country's northeast. "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," Mazloum Abdi [9] said in a televised speech at the presidential palace in Damascus, following meetings with President Ahmad al-Sharaa. (EuroNews [10])
While SDF fighters are being incorporated into the Syrian army under the command of the Defense Ministry, the SDF-affiliated police force known as the Asayish [11] is being integrated into the Ministry of Interior. The Women's Protection Units (YPJ [12]), formerly an arm of the SDF, are also being integrated into the Interior Ministry, because the national army's existing structure does not include units for women. (Al Jazeera [13])
Former SDF commander Mazloum Abdi has been appointed by al-Sharaa as a presidential advisor. (Al Jazeera [14])
