Kurdish-Led SDF Announces Formal Dissolution After Completing Merger With Syrian Army

August 25, 2026 — SDF commander Mazloum Abdi announced the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces has formally dissolved as an independent military force after completing its merger with the Syrian army, declaring "the end of the SDF's mission" now that Syria has "entered a new phase, one of peace and participation in building a new Syria." The dissolution follows through on the Jan 29, 2026 Damascus-SDF agreement and the integration process SDF said was complete on Aug 20; the merger deal also formalizes recognition of Kurdish cultural, civil and educational rights — including Kurdish as a national language, Nowruz as an official holiday, and citizenship for previously stateless Kurds. The SDF, once the US's principal partner against ISIS, lost most of its northeast Syria territory to a government offensive in January before agreeing to merge with Damascus's forces under interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa.