America’s Anti-ISIS Ally Makes One Final Sacrifice for Syria
After helping destroy ISIS, Syria’s Kurds are giving up the army that protected them, betting their future on a former jihadist.
After nearly 15 years of civil war, Syria is being rebuilt under new leadership in Damascus. Washington has removed Syria from its state sponsors of terrorism list, which could bring needed investment and reconstruction. However, one of America's crucial allies in the fight against Islamic extremism must make a significant sacrifice.
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), who fought alongside the U.S. to defeat ISIS, have been abandoned by Washington in favor of the new Syrian president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former jihadist. The Kurds are now surrendering the military power that protected their autonomy under an integration agreement with al-Sharaa's government.
The Kurds created an autonomous region known as Rojava, with its own political administration and security forces. When ISIS spread through the Middle East, the Kurdish militias, including the SDF, were crucial in defeating the extremists. After capturing the final ISIS territory in 2015, the U.S. needed the SDF to defeat ISIS but no longer wanted to provide support.
In late 2024, al-Sharaa's forces took control of areas formerly held by the SDF, leading to the Kurds surrendering their military power. The SDF, which controlled a quarter of Syria, lost 80% of its territory. The U.S. recognized the SDF's role as the primary anti-ISIS force had expired, supporting Damascus in taking control of the region.
Kurdish commander Mazloum Abdi announced the dissolution of the SDF as an independent military force, recognizing Kurds as part of the Syrian people and guaranteeing language education and citizenship rights.
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