The SDF was the key force that helped defeat ISIS. It was backed by the US. Now it is integrating into the new Syrian security forces.<\/p>\n
As such, the Abdi meetings in Damascus are a symbol of the success of integration in Syria and also unification of the country.<\/p>\n
Six months ago, it was unclear how the SDF-controlled areas would integrate into Damascus rule. There was a lot of fear among Kurds and others about the process. There were clashes. Some worried that the US would walk away and leave the SDF isolated.<\/p>\n
Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa and then-commander of Syrian Kurdish-led forces Mazloum Abdi shake hands, after Syria reached a deal to integrate the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) with state institutions, in Damascus, Syria. (credit: SANA\/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)Damascus leadership rooted in al-Qaeda, SDF rooted in Kurdish leftism<\/p>\n
They feared Damascus would seize the moment and conquer eastern Syria rather than pursue a process in which both sides gained positions, with respect and power-sharing.<\/p>\n
The leadership in Damascus mostly comes from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which is a conservative Islamic and right-leaning movement that once had roots in al-Qaeda.<\/p>\n
By contrast, the leadership of the SDF is far-left and has roots in the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). The movements are very different. One is Arabic, one is Kurdish.<\/p>\n
One where most of the women wear hijab or veils, and another where women are fighters and serve as co-leaders in many positions. Both are deeply ideological groups. However, they know they must work together after years of war in Syria.<\/p>\n
Asharq al-Awsat noted on August 25 that Abdi and top SDF official Ilham Ahmed held talks with Syrian government officials in Damascus on Monday as the two sides seek to complete integration measures by the end of the month.<\/p>\n
The report said, \u201csources in Damascus told Asharq Al-Awsat that education was the main issue discussed at the meeting, which was held under a media blackout.\u201d<\/p>\n
This report added that \u201cthe talks came about 20 days after Abdi and Ahmed met President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus. Sources said that meeting failed to produce agreement on several disputed issues despite both sides\u2019 commitment to implementing their January 29 accord.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s worth noting that the new developments come a week after another announcement by Abdi that civil and military integration with Damascus was largely complete.<\/p>\n
“I want to say that the phase of integrating military, security and administrative institutions into national state institutions is complete and finished,” Abdi said at the time, according to France 24. “From now on, we begin a new phase,” he added.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Asharq reported that \u201cForeign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said on August 18 that several issues remained unresolved, including how to integrate the Women\u2019s Protection Units and Kurdish-language education.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rudaw also reported that Abdi was heading to Damascus. This comes after Abdi gave a long interview recently about what comes next in Syria.<\/p>\n
Some SDF members had sought to boycott Syrian elections and other Syrian initiatives. The SDF has been tied to civilian organizations such as the AANES that ran eastern Syria over the last decade, as well as the PYD and other groups.<\/p>\n
These groups have largely been unwilling to actively participate in Damascus<\/a>\u2019 new civilian rule. However, some SDF members have chosen to work with Damascus. Besides Abdi, this also includes Sipan Hamo, who has taken a role in the defense ministry.<\/p>\n Kurdish education, language a priority in government talks<\/p>\n Rudaw noted, regarding Abdi\u2019s agenda today, that \u201cAbdi also said that Kurdish education has been a priority in talks with Damascus, reiterating that they will not accept Kurdish as an optional language in Rojava but want it to remain the main language of instruction.<\/p>\n He said they were open to Arabic being taught alongside Kurdish in the region, as proposed by the government.\u201d Abdi is seeking to move from being a military commander to working on Kurdish civil rights issues and domestic policy.<\/p>\n \u201cKurdish officials want school curricula translated into Kurdish, while Damascus proposed offering Kurdish language as an optional subject, arguing that separate curricula could prompt similar demands from other Syrian communities,\u201d Asharq noted.<\/p>\n Elham Ahmed, a key Kurdish official, also went to Damascus with Abdi, the reports said. She wrote on X\/Twitter that \u201cMother-tongue education is a fundamental right of every people. Languages are creations of the Merciful God; they must not be banned, nor should their sanctity be diminished.\u201d<\/p>\n She added, \u201cWe believe that by recognizing these fundamental rights, Syria can become a model of justice, stability, and peace in the region.\u201d<\/p>\n Asharq\u2019s report noted that Syria\u2019s president Al-Sharaa \u201cissued Decree No. 13 on January 16, recognizing Syrian Kurdish citizens as an \u2018essential and integral part of the Syrian people\u2019 and their cultural and linguistic identity as part of Syria\u2019s national identity.\u201d<\/p>\n This came amidst clashes with Kurds in Aleppo. Weeks later, the Syrian government swept into eastern Syria, and it was clear the SDF would need to accommodate and work with Damascus.<\/p>\n Syria\u2019s work with the Kurdish leadership is important. Several Kurds are in the new parliament in Damascus. Many come from the ENKS or KNC Kurdish political background, which is very different than the SDF and PYD background of officials from the AANES.<\/p>\n Although this seems like a lot of groups to keep track of, it\u2019s not as complex as it seems. Kurds are largely divided into groups on the far left that have historical links to the PKK, or they are more centrist nationalists, often linked to groups that have alliances with the Kurdistan Democratic Party.<\/p>\n There are also smaller Kurdish religious parties and the PUK in the Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq. Kurds, like all groups, have their own internal political differences.<\/p>\n This has played out in Syria. When the SDF and AANES were in power in eastern Syria from 2015 to early 2026, they mostly sidelined the KNC and ENKS.<\/p>\n Now that Damascus is unifying Syria, it has preferred to invite the Kurdish opposition groups to parliament. This reduces tensions with Turkey<\/a>, which has opposed any PKK-linked officials in the past.<\/p>\n However, Damascus knows that those like Abdi and Elham Ahmad have support in Syria, and there is recognition on all sides that they should play a future role. What that role will be is unclear.<\/p>\n