SYRIA PRESIDENT APPOINTS KURDISH LEADER AS ADVISOR
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has appointed Mazloum Abdi as his advisor.
Abdi was the commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces until Tuesday, when he announced its dissolution and integration into the Syrian army.
The appointment was announced by state news agency SANA on Friday.
The integration deal was signed in January after clashes between Kurdish forces and government troops. Sharaa also issued a decree recognising Kurdish as a national language for the first time since Syria’s independence in 1946.
The United States praised the move. US envoy Tom Barrack said it showed what real integration looks like.
But the deal is a blow to Kurdish hopes for autonomy. Abdi told supporters the struggle will continue to cement Kurdish rights in the constitution
Abdi is still wanted by Turkey, which considers him a terrorist linked to the PKK. He now carries an Interpol red notice and a Turkish bounty.
The Kurdish leader is no longer in the field. He is now in the palace. But his enemies still want his head.