Analysis: SDF Integration and Political Challenges in As-Suwayda

Analyst Omar Kosh examines recent developments in Syria, noting that on August 25, 2026, Mazloum Abdi, commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), announced the dissolution of the group and its integration into Syrian state institutions. This move, following the January 29 agreement, signifies the end of an independent armed force and the restoration of state sovereignty over resource-rich areas in northeastern Syria. The process was facilitated by Presidential Decree No. 13, issued by Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara on January 16, 2026, to restore the cultural and legal rights of Syrian Kurds. Conversely, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri in As-Suwayda has taken a different path, asserting in a video message the right to self-determination and separation for the province, while making claims regarding the ideological ties of the Druze to Israel. These statements followed an August 23 meeting in Amman between Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Mossad chief Roman Gofman, aimed at de-escalation. The analyst suggests that al-Hijri fears Syrian-Israeli negotiations might force him to reconcile with Damascus. Nevertheless, reports indicate a gradual return of state institutions to As-Suwayda in education and public services. Furthermore, potential shifts in Israeli policy following the October 27 elections, with former army chief Gadi Eisenkot leading in polls, could impact the As-Suwayda file. Ahmad Zaidan, media advisor to the Syrian president, emphasized that al-Hijri's statements do not reflect the reality of the new Syria.