Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara Appoints Former SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi as Presidential Adviser

Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara has issued a decree appointing Mazloum Abdi, the former head of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, as a presidential adviser. Announced on Thursday evening, the appointment follows the recent dissolution of the SDF and the successful integration of tens of thousands of its fighters into state institutions. The US-backed group previously played a leading role in the fight against ISIS.

While Mr Abdi's new advisory role is a lesser position than his previous leadership within the SDF, he joins several other senior Kurdish figures who have secured roles within the state. Earlier this year, Sipan Hamo, the former commander of the People's Protection Units (YPG), was named Deputy Defence Minister. Additionally, Ilham Ahmed, co-chairman of foreign affairs for the Syrian Democratic Council—the political wing of the SDF—is reportedly set to become a member of parliament, a move congratulated on Wednesday by Hind Kabawat, the Syrian Minister of Social Affairs and Labour. However, the status of the Kurdish unit of female fighters remains unresolved.

The dissolution of the SDF comes after an agreement was signed in January between the group and Mr Al Shara. Mediated by the US and France and later endorsed by Turkey, the deal aimed to end hostilities following conflict in which the SDF ceded large territories in the oil-rich northern and north-eastern regions of the country. Following the agreement, Mr Al Shara issued a decree recognizing Kurdish as a national language for schools, guaranteeing cultural freedoms, and granting Syrian nationality to previously stateless Kurds.

On Thursday, the Syrian Education Ministry announced a new plan for Kurdish-majority areas, making it mandatory for schools to teach the Kurdish language three times a week. The ministry stated that the study of Kurdish as a national language will be permitted in public and private schools where Kurdish citizens make up a significant population. During a transitional period, pupils will also be able to study social subjects in Kurdish, though this arrangement may be reviewed after a year to be taught in Arabic or English instead. Despite these measures, Syrian Kurds continue to advocate for their language to be enshrined in the Syrian constitution, mirroring the framework in neighbouring Iraq.