ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - France on Wednesday joined a growing number of western and regional countries in welcoming the dissolution of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), describing the move as “decisive” and reiterating support for Syria as it navigates its transitional period.
“I extend my congratulations to Syria for the decisive step taken yesterday [Tuesday] in the process of peacefully integrating the Syrian Democratic Forces into the Syrian State,” French President Emmanuel Macron said in a post on X, commending the “commitment” of Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and the “sense of responsibility” shown by SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi in announcing the disbandment of the Kurdish-led force.
“Since the beginning of the transition, France has played an active role in supporting this initiative and will remain attentive to its implementation,” Macron added, affirming that the process ought to be “guided solely by the unity and sovereignty of Syria, respect for all its components and the State's monopoly on arms.”
“In Syria as elsewhere, this is how the path to lasting peace and stability can be built,” he said.
SDF chief Abdi on Tuesday announced the dissolution of the Kurdish-led force, declaring its mission complete.
“We hereby announce, as of today, the conclusion of the mission of the Syrian Democratic Forces, and we responsibly declare its dissolution as an independent military force,” he said in a speech delivered at the presidential palace in Damascus following a meeting with Sharaa.
“We will always carry the memory of our martyrs, and hold their sacrifices in our hearts and conscience - for they did not fight for the sake of war, but for a day when Syrians would no longer need to fight,” Abdi added, effectively drawing a close to an 11-year legacy forged largely through the territorial defeat of the Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria in 2019.
The announcement came months after the SDF and Damascus signed an accord on January 29, agreeing to integrate the force - along with the institutions of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES), which governs northeast Syria (Rojava) - into state structures.
Immediately after Abdi’s announcement, Tom Barrack, US special presidential envoy for Syria and Iraq, called the decision “absolutely historic,” crediting President Donald Trump as a “steadfast partner” in helping “a united Syria for all” take shape.
Barrack also praised Damascus for “recognizing the Kurdish language in education and securing substantive roles” for Abdi and senior DAANES official Elham Ahmed within the Syrian government, describing it as “due respect to their leadership, the sacrifices of our Kurdish partners, and the constructive contribution they have made to regional stability.”
Similarly, the UK Special Representative for Syria, Barrie Peach, on Wednesday praised “the dissolution of the SDF as an independent military force and its integration alongside DAANES administrative bodies into Syrian state institutions,” as “an important step towards a peaceful, stable and unified Syria.”
Peach’s statement followed comments from Claudio Cordone, the deputy special envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for Syria, who welcomed in a post on X “the dissolution of the SDF and the continued progress on security and administrative integration of northeast Syria [Rojava],” adding that he looks forward to “further steps to complete the implementation of 29 January 2026 agreement.”
At the regional level, Saudi Arabia on Wednesday welcomed the integration of the Kurdish-led forces into Syrian military institutions, saying the move contributed to “security and stability for Syria and its brotherly people.”
“The Kingdom reaffirms its support for the steps taken by the Syrian government to fulfill the aspirations of the Syrian people in continuing the path of unity and development, and wishes the Syrian Arab Republic and its brotherly people security, peace, and prosperity,” Riyadh’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
Similarly, Burhanettin Duran, the Turkish presidency’s head of communications, said the dissolution of the Kurdish-led forces marks “an important development in strengthening state authority” across Syria, and “bringing different segments of society together on common political ground.”
“It is crucial that the Syrian administration continue to take steps based on inclusivity in order to establish lasting stability,” Duran added.
