SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi: “A Syria built without its Kurds, Arabs, Syriacs, and other communities — that is not a Syria we can be part of,”

HASAKEH, North and East Syria — In a bold and wide-ranging interview that signaled a shift in regional dynamics, General Mazloum Abdi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), confirmed for the first time that his forces are in direct communication with Turkey. He also expressed a willingness to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan — a striking development given Ankara’s longstanding hostility toward the Kurdish-led force. “We are in direct contact with Turkey,” Abdi said in the televised interview with Al-Shams TV. “And I do not oppose meeting President Erdoğan.” 

The statement marks a potential turning point in a long-frozen relationship shaped by military confrontations, deep mistrust, and diverging national security narratives. Yet Abdi made clear that any negotiations — whether with Ankara, Daramsuq (Damascus), or others — must proceed from one non-negotiable principle: the recognition of the SDF’s political and territorial legitimacy. 

A Historic Moment for Syria’s Kurds 

Abdi described the current period as “a historic stage” for the Kurdish people, asserting that the time has come for them to assume a role in Syria “that reflects their sacrifices and aspirations.” 

His comments came amid ongoing efforts to open negotiations with the Syrian Transitional Government (STG). According to Abdi, delegations have already been formed from representatives of the Kurdish National Council (KNC) and the Democratic Autonomous Administration of the Region of North and East Syria (DAARNES)— the civilian governance body that has ruled much of northeast Syria since 2012. The Syriac Union Party (SUP) is represented in the DAARNES delegation by Co-Chair Sanharib Barsom, ensuring that the Syriac community has a voice in the negotiations with the STG. 

“We are serious about dialogue,” Abdi said, “but a new Syria cannot be built without recognizing the rights of all its components.” 

Integration Into the Army — But Not at Any Cost 

One of the central issues Abdi addressed was the future of the SDF itself. He reiterated that integration into the Syrian armed forces is possible — but only through a “comprehensive political agreement” that includes recognition of political decentralization and guarantees for the ethnic and religious communities of North and East Syria. 

“This is not a quick or symbolic process,” he said. “Merging the SDF into the Syrian military could take years — and must preserve the identity and structure of our forces within a national framework.” 

Direct Contact with Turkey, Backed by Washington 

In a related development, Al-Monitor reported that a phone call recently took place between General Abdi and U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barak. According to the report, senior Turkish officials have floated the idea of a high-level meeting between Abdi and Turkish representatives in Damascus — pending the outcome of the SDF’s talks with the Syrian Transitional Government. 

In that first call, Barak reportedly encouraged Abdi to continue de-escalation talks with Ankara, facilitated by the United States. The move is seen as part of a broader effort by Washington to reduce tensions between two of its regional partners: NATO-member Turkey and the Kurdish-led forces who were instrumental in the ground war against ISIS. 

“We Defeated Terrorism — and We Will Defend Our Gains” 

Abdi’s tone throughout the interview was both confident and defiant. He emphasized the SDF’s central role in the defeat of the Islamic State, with more than 10,000 suspected ISIS fighters still held in northeast Syrian detention centers. “We actively contributed to defeating terrorism, and we will defend our achievements,” he said. 

He warned against superficial peace deals or cosmetic gestures that ignore the deeper political grievances of the Kurdish people. “We reject a return to square one,” he stated. “Our sacrifices were made to create real change — not symbolic concessions.” 

Proud of His Identity, Rooted in Syria’s Future 

In a rare personal moment, Abdi affirmed his pride in his Kurdish identity and insisted that Syria’s future must be inclusive. “We are an essential part of Syria’s future,” he said. “The Kurdish people have suffered marginalization for decades. That cannot continue.” 

He also reiterated that the SDF does not seek to break away or form an independent state. “We do not want separation. We want a united Syria — with a capital in Damascus — but as a decentralized, democratic country where the rights of all peoples are protected.” 

A New Axis: Damascus, Ankara, and the SDF? 

The prospect of tripartite engagement between Damascus, Ankara, and the Kurdish-led administration — once almost unthinkable — is now being floated as a real possibility. For the SDF, such negotiations are acceptable if they preserve autonomy, protect communities, and pave the way for political inclusion. 

“If Israel can stop the killing of our people, we would welcome that,” Abdi added when asked about possible international partnerships. His response reflected a new geopolitical pragmatism — one grounded in the defense of life, not ideology. 

The End of Unilateral Control 

With both Turkish and Syrian channels now potentially open, and with U.S. backing, Abdi and the SDF appear poised to move from a wartime force to a political actor shaping the contours of postwar Syria. 

“A Syria built without its Kurds, Arabs, Syriacs, and other communities — that is not a Syria we can be part of,” Abdi concluded.