Description: Mazloum Abdi, commander of Syria’s Kurdish SDF (Syrian Defense Forces) announced that the group reached an agreement with President Ahmed Al Sharaa’s government to integrate its fighters within the country’s national army. Abdi stated that previous meetings with representatives from Al Sharaa’s government has concluded the deal in principle, while presently mechanisms for integration of the fighters were being actively discussed and prepared for implementation. The announcement arrives after earlier this month the SDF and members of the Syrian army clashed near Aleppo, threatening the agreement concluded in Mar. Abdi also mentioned that the SDF would push for a decentralized government in Syria a position which the organization attempted to enforce after the ouster of Bashar Al Assad.
Impact: SDF’s integration within the newly established Syrian military represents a significant breakthrough in the nation building transitionary process in Syria, complementing previous initiatives such as the parliamentary elections. The SDF represents a significant militant force within the country, controlling large regions in the country’s northeastern parts which has so far represented a significant threat to Al Sharaa’s government in terms of capabilities, legitimacy and credibility. The organization’s calls for decentralized government still represent a stark reminder of the ethnic and political divisions in the country signaling the integration process to be of a complex nature. SDF’s integration is a significant factor in the reconstruction and stabilization of Syria and would contribute towards reducing the sectarian and ethnic violence by projecting a unified front under the legitimacy of the official government.