Syrian Democratic Forces

The end of the SDF: What the dissolution means for the Kurds and Sharaa's state - opinion

Following an agreement with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, the SDF's mission ended and was being dissolved "as an independent military force" and being integrated into the Syrian army.

 Soldiers from the Syrian Democratic Forces stand in front of the detainees before the first exchange operation between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian government in Aleppo, Syria, April 3, 2025.
A drone view shows the remains of a destroyed tank, following deadly clashes between Druze fighters, Sunni Bedouin tribes and government forces, in Syria's predominantly Druze city of Sweida, Syria July 25, 2025.

Israel can protect Sweida’s Druze without supporting Syria’s separation - opinion

Members of the all women Martyr Ayaz Çiya battalion staff checkpoints and stop vehicles in the Halko neighbourhood on February 8, 2026 in Qamishli, Syria.

Seven years after being displaced, Kurdish families return to Serekaniye - analysis

Women and children queue during a joint security operation by Syria's Kurdish Internal Security Police Force, also known as Asayesh, and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) at Camp Roj where foreign relatives of people suspected of belonging to the Islamic State (IS) group are held.

Iraq completes investigation into thousands of ISIS detainees formerly held in Syria - report


Syrian president names former commander of Kurdish-led force as adviser

Once civil war rivals, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and former SDF commander Mazloum Abdi are moving toward cooperation as Kurdish forces integrate into state institutions.

SDF commander Mazloum Abdi delivers a speech during a celebration marking the centenary of the city of Qamishli, Syria, August 20, 2026.

SDF dissolution earns global praise, but questions remain over Syria's future - analysis

The deal to dissolve the SDF is expected to pave the way for several key decisions in the next phase, including political appointments and developments involving Turkey.

Members of Syrian Democratic Forces react after withdrawing from the front lines on the outskirts of the town of Tel Hamis following the agreement between the SDF and the Damascus government, which stipulates the withdrawal of the Syrian army and the SDF, in Qamishli, Syria, February 13, 2026.

Syria's Kurdish-led SDF dissolves as part of integration with Damascus

"We announce today the end of the mission of the Syrian Democratic Forces and announce with full responsibility its dissolution as an independent military force," SDF commander Mazloum Abdi said.

Members of Syrian Democratic Forces react after withdrawing from the front lines on the outskirts of the town of Tel Hamis following the agreement between the SDF and the Damascus government, which stipulates the withdrawal of the Syrian army and the SDF, in Qamishli, Syria, February 13, 2026.

Syrian Democratic Forces commander lands in Damascus for national unification talks - report

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.

SDF commander Mazloum Abdi, attends an interview with Reuters in al-Shadadi, Syria.

The strategic misjudgment of the Kurdish factor in Iran’s war - opinion

While Washington initially expressed rhetorical support for the Kurdish opposition, it later issued more cautious messages discouraging active Kurdish involvement in the conflict.

Iranian Kurdish fighters from the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK) take part in a training session at a base on the outskirts of Erbil, Iraq February 12, 2026.

ISIS claims responsibility for new attack in Syria targeting official near Damascus

ISIS has claimed a series of attacks in Syria, including an IED strike near Damascus and a reported assault on security forces in Raqqa.

A rebel fighter takes away a flag that belonged to Islamic State militants in Akhtarin village, after rebel fighters advanced in the area, in northern Aleppo Governorate, Syria, October 7, 2016

Last of Australian ISIS linked families leave Syrian camps

Seven Australian women and 14 children recently arrived in Damascus from the Roj camp in northeast Syria, marking the departure of the last known Australian group from camps for ISIS-linked families.

Members of Australian families believed to be linked to the Islamic State militants wait to leave Roj camp near Derik, Syria April 24, 2026.

ISIS escalates rhetoric, seeks ‘new phase of fighting’ in Syria - analysis

Foreign fighters and sleeper cells remain a security concern as the group tries to revive its networks after years of territorial collapse.

A still image taken from an Islamic State (ISIS) video

Syria’s Kurds confront defeat after decades of resistance - opinion

Abandoned by allies and pressured by Turkey, Syria’s Kurds were forced to surrender autonomy to Damascus.

Armed members of the Syrian Democratic Forces' (SDF) military police take part in a demonstration under the banner “With our will, we will protect our revolution.” in Qamishli, Syria, September 17, 2025.

'Kinetic elimination does not work': US envoy breaks with Netanyahu doctrine in Antalya

Thomas Barrack cast military force as a dead end and argued that the region’s conflicts will not be solved by trying to destroy enemies one by one.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a wreath-laying ceremony marking the annual Holocaust Remembrance Day at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Museum in Jerusalem on April 14, 2026.