Syria's Al-Sharaa Names SDF Commander Adviser as Kurdish Force Dissolves

The Syrian Ministry of Defense announced the appointment of a new senior commander on Tuesday, a move that followed closely on the heels of a historic decision by Deputy Defense Minister Abdi. Abdi declared that the Kurdish‑led militia, which had operated independently for a decade, would be formally dissolved and its personnel integrated into the regular Syrian army. The announcement came just days after the decree, underscoring a rapid shift in the country’s military structure.

Abdi’s decree marked the end of the militia’s autonomous status and the beginning of its absorption into the national armed forces. Washington described the integration as a “genuine integration” and praised the decision as a step toward consolidating state control over all armed groups. The move is expected to streamline command chains and reduce the number of semi‑autonomous units operating within Syria’s borders.

The new appointment signals a broader effort by the Syrian government to centralize military authority and eliminate parallel power structures. By bringing former Kurdish forces under the umbrella of the national army, the regime aims to strengthen its hold on the region and improve coordination across its armed forces. The integration will likely involve retraining, reequipping, and reassigning former militia members to new units within the Syrian army.