Syria's President appoints Kurdish leader Mazloum Abdi as his adviser
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has appointed former Kurdish leader Mazloum Abdi as a presidential adviser following the dissolution of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. This move marks the final step in an integration deal aimed at consolidating state control under the new government.
Why it matters
The integration of Kurdish forces into the Syrian state represents a major shift in regional power dynamics and the conclusion of long-standing Kurdish autonomy efforts.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa appointed Kurdish leader Mazloum Abdi as a Presidential adviser, state media said on Friday (August 28, 2026), days after Abdi announced the dissolution of his Kurdish forces under an integration deal with Damascus.
The Education Ministry also published a decision authorising Kurdish-language instruction in public and private schools.
"Mustafa Khalil Abdi is appointed as adviser to the presidency of the republic," announced the decree, signed by Sharaa and published by state news agency SANA .
Mr. Abdi, who has been known by several different names, was for years the leader of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the Washington-backed group at the forefront of the battle against the Islamic State jihadist group.
On Tuesday (August 25), he announced the SDF's dissolution, part of a deal he made with Sharaa in January to integrate the Kurds' forces and civilian administration into the state.
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