Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has appointed Mazloum Abdi, the former commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as a presidential advisor.

The appointment, formalized through Decree No 164, was announced on Thursday, according to the Syrian state news agency Sana. This move follows closely on the heels of Abdi's announcement three days prior regarding the dissolution of the SDF and its integration into the Syrian military.

Abdi's new role as an advisor to the Presidency of the Republic marks a significant development in Syria's efforts to consolidate control and unify its military structure. This appointment positions him as a senior Kurdish figure within the state apparatus, following other commanders who have recently taken up state posts, including an assistant defense minister for the eastern region.

The advisory position is a step down from an offer made in January, when President al-Sharaa had proposed Abdi as deputy defense minister and governor of Hasakah province. At that time, the aim was to reassert state authority over SDF-controlled areas. The initial agreement between al-Sharaa and Abdi to integrate the SDF into the central government was reached in March 2025.

Progress on that agreement stalled, leading Syrian government forces to advance into the northeast in January, taking control of Raqqa and Deir Az Zor from the SDF. A subsequent ceasefire resulted in these cities, along with Hasakah, coming under central government authority. The SDF committed to joining the defense and interior ministries as part of a 14-point plan.

While most SDF units have been absorbed, the YPJ, the SDF's women's units, have not yet been integrated, reportedly due to the army's current structure lacking specific units for women. This integration process is a key component of President al-Sharaa's broader promise to reunify the country since the overthrow of former leader Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.

Beyond military integration, President al-Sharaa took steps in January to formally recognize Kurdish rights, issuing a decree that acknowledged Kurdish as a national language and restored citizenship to Syrian Kurds. This marked the first such formal recognition since Syria's independence in 1946, signaling a shift in policy towards the country's Kurdish population.

The dissolution of the SDF signifies that Damascus now holds formal authority over nearly all Syrian territory, representing a major step in the government's efforts to assert control nationwide. The appointment of Abdi, a former leader of a significant force now under state command, underscores the evolving dynamics within Syria's political and military landscape.