The SDF serves as the de facto army of northeast Syria (Rojava), and remains the main partner of the US-led global coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS).
During a periodic SDF military council meeting on Sunday, Abdi stressed that “local and international efforts are underway to achieve a ceasefire across Syrian territories.”
In March, Abdi signed a landmark agreement with Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa to integrate the SDF into the Syrian state forces. The deal recognizes Kurds as an integral part of Syria, outlines a countrywide ceasefire, and ensures the return of displaced Syrians to their hometowns.
Bassam Ishak, a member of the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) presidential council then told Rudaw that the landmark agreement was achieved through “international mediation efforts, primarily led by the United States.”
During Sunday’s meeting, Abdi also addressed recent developments in the SDF’s relationship with the Syrian government, particularly regarding an agreement for the predominantly Kurdish neighborhoods of Ashrafiyeh and Sheikh Maqsoud in northern Aleppo.
Under the deal, the two sides agreed to exchange all prisoners and allow SDF-affiliated internal security forces (Asayish) to remain in these Kurdish neighborhoods.
The first prisoner exchange took place on Thursday, with nearly 250 prisoners swapped between the two sides. A day later, the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), the backbone of the SDF, began withdrawing from the Kurdish neighborhoods in Aleppo.
In addition to the de-escalation efforts with Damascus, there is increased diplomatic engagement aimed at securing a ceasefire in northern Syria, particularly between the SDF and Turkey, along with Turkish-backed armed groups.
The SDF in early March accused Turkey and Turkish-backed armed groups of attacks on the Tishreen Dam and Qere Qozaq bridge in northern Syria since December. The dam's strategic location is critical for Turkey, as its capture could pave the way for further advances into northeastern Syria (Rojava).
Turkey views the SDF as closely linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which it designates as a terrorist organization. The SDF denies these accusations. Ankara has also voiced concerns that the growing influence of Kurdish groups in northern Syria could embolden Kurdish movements within Turkey.
In late March, the foreign relations co-chair of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), Sama Baktash, confirmed to Rudaw that there are “serious efforts” for a ceasefire between the SDF and Turkey in northern Syria.
