The Syrian Presidential Advisor confirms that Kurds seek a strong position within the state and participation across Syria, calling for the implementation of the Al-Jazira and Kobani understandings in Afrin
Syrian Presidential Advisor Mazloum Abdi stated that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) joined the Syrian Army through a “planned and incremental process,” emphasizing that its forces will continue to defend their areas as part of the Syrian Army. This came in an interview with the Turkish newspaper Yeni Yaşam, the key highlights of which were published on September 4, 2026.
Abdi explained that the Kurds’ entry into the new phase in Damascus is not limited to seeking a strong position within the Syrian state, but extends beyond the Kurdish regions to participating “positively and constructively” across all parts of Syria.
Regarding linguistic rights and education, Abdi stated that for the first time since the founding of the Syrian Republic, Kurdish has been officially adopted in education, including teaching certain other subjects in Kurdish rather than limiting it to a standalone subject.
He stressed that the new phase must ensure the participation of all Syrian components in state institutions, considering that the presence of Kurds in building the new Syria should be through their identity and rights, rather than restricting their participation to majority-Kurdish areas. This vision comes in the context of the shift in relations between Damascus and Kurdish forces, particularly following the March 10, 2025 agreement between Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Mazloum Abdi. That agreement provided for integrating civil and military institutions in northeastern Syria into state institutions, along with guaranteeing the rights of all Syrians to political participation and state institutions, as well as recognizing the Kurdish component and guaranteeing its constitutional rights.
Afrin and Ras al-Ayn (Sere Kaniye)
Abdi addressed the situation in Afrin, saying that the understandings applied in Al-Jazira and Kobani must also cover Afrin, including the education file and local community participation in security and local administration.
Regarding the return of the residents of Ras al-Ayn (Sere Kaniye), he confirmed that the process is not yet complete, but will take place in a “gradual and planned manner” after taking the necessary measures to remove obstacles preventing the return of residents.
The return of displaced persons is one of the provisions included in the March 10, 2025 agreement, which stipulated guaranteeing the return of displaced Syrians to their towns and villages and securing their protection by the Syrian state.
Abdi: Dialogue Channels with Turkey Remain Open
On relations with Turkey, Abdi expressed that constructive relations between both sides and reviewing them during the new phase serve the interests of Syria and the Kurdish people, confirming that dialogue channels between the two parties remain open. Abdi’s recent statements also touched upon the need to review relations with Turkey at a time when the SDF file has entered a new phase following the completion of its forces’ integration into the Syrian Army.
Abdi stated that the previous phase “has ended,” noting that while not all Kurdish demands may have been met, he emphasized that there are gains and a foundation that can be built upon to continue the struggle and achieve Kurdish goals in the coming period.
He called on the Kurdish people to trust their leadership and continue working together during the new phase, explaining that the goal is to transform what was achieved over past years into a foundation for new gains.
Abdi’s statements come after the SDF file transitioned into a different phase; on August 25, 2026, the force’s command announced the end of its mission and its dissolution as an independent military force, following the completion of its integration into Syrian Army brigades.
On the Kurdish language file, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa had issued Decree No. 13 of 2026, recognizing the cultural and linguistic rights of Kurdish citizens, while the Ministry of Education later announced the introduction of Kurdish into official education starting from the 2026–2027 academic year. According to official guidelines, Kurdish will be taught as an elective subject at two classes per week across various educational stages.
Note: This text is translated from the original Arabic version… Read the Arabic version:Click here
