Sources: Advisory Role for Abdi, Parliament Seat for Ilham Ahmed as Kurdish Gets Official Status
RastinewsDetails have emerged of the agreement reached between Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The deal reportedly gives Mazlum Abdi and Ilham Ahmed roles within the Syrian government, grants Kurdish official status, and brings Kurdish forces into state institutions.
According to Syrian and Western sources who spoke to Al Majalla, Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani held two separate meetings in Damascus with Mazlum Abdi and Ilham Ahmed on Monday and Tuesday.
The talks produced an agreement to dissolve the SDF's military and civilian institutions, along with those of the Autonomous Administration, and then absorb their personnel into Syrian state bodies.
The parties agreed that both sides would finally meet Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the Presidential Palace, after which Mazlum Abdi would make a public statement.
Abdi to become Sharaa's adviser
Under the agreement, Mazlum Abdi will be appointed as a presidential adviser. He is expected to take charge of the Kurdish issue or relations with Syria's various communities.
His exact portfolio is expected to be defined by presidential decree.
Officials in Damascus, who previously referred to Abdi as "General Mazlum," have begun calling him "Mr. Mazlum" instead — a shift seen as a sign of changing relations.
Ilham Ahmed to get a seat in parliament
Ilham Ahmed is expected to be appointed to Syria's People's Assembly through the quota reserved for the president.
She may take part in constitutional drafting work or serve on the Assembly's Foreign Relations Committee, according to the sources.
The talks also raised the possibility of a post for Ahmed at the Foreign Ministry, with options including deputy foreign minister or a senior advisory role.
YPJ fighters to join Internal Security Forces
The Damascus talks also produced an agreement for roughly 1,500 YPJ members to join the Internal Security Forces under the Interior Ministry.
The YPJ members are expected to serve in counterterrorism units and be deployed across northern and eastern Syria.
Damascus is reportedly also considering, at a later stage, bringing YPJ members into the Syrian army.
SDF fighters to fill four brigades
SDF members will complete their integration into four brigades formed within the Syrian army. Each brigade holds around 1,300 fighters, with integration proceedings still under way for another 1,700.
The sides also reached an understanding on deploying Kurdish units along the border.
Official status for Kurdish
One of the agreement's notable provisions concerns the status of the Kurdish language.
Damascus is expected to issue a decision recognizing Kurdish as an official language. The agreement also includes teaching some subjects, including history and geography, in Kurdish in schools.
İmralı visit on the agenda
According to the sources, Mazlum Abdi and Ilham Ahmed are also expected to travel to Turkey to meet Abdullah Öcalan.
The meeting is intended to secure Öcalan's backing for the integration process, though Ankara has yet to make a formal decision on the visit.
It was also suggested that Turkey is considering removing Mazlum Abdi from its wanted list — a move said to resemble an earlier decision made regarding Sipan Hemo.
Damascus and Ankara have not yet issued an official statement on the appointments or on the reported İmralı visit.