Syrian Democratic Forces dissolve after merging with Syrian army

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced on Thursday that it will cease to exist as an independent entity following a formal merger with the Syrian Arab Army. In a statement released by the SDF’s political office, the coalition of Kurdish, Arab and Assyrian militias said the integration will be completed within the next two weeks, after which all former SDF units will operate under the command of the Syrian Ministry of Defense.

The decision comes amid a broader realignment of forces in northeastern Syria after the United States reduced its military presence in the region. Syrian officials described the merger as a step toward national unity and the restoration of state authority, while Kurdish leaders expressed cautious optimism that the integration will preserve the autonomy of local councils. International observers noted that the move could alter the balance of power with Turkey and impact ongoing counter‑terrorism operations against remnants of ISIS. The dissolution marks the end of the SDF’s decade‑long role as a key partner in the fight against extremist groups and signals a new phase in Syria’s internal security architecture.