Damascus, Syria – The media center of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced today, Monday, December 29, 2025, the postponement of the official visit that had been scheduled for its commander-in-chief, Mazloum Abdi, to the capital, Damascus. The visit was intended to resolve outstanding issues with the Syrian government before the end of this year.
SDF statement: Procedural postponement, not political
The official statement explained that the postponement of Abdi’s visit and that of his accompanying negotiating delegation was due to “technical and logistical reasons” related to the visit’s arrangements. It confirmed that a new date would be agreed upon later. The SDF emphasized in its statement that this postponement “does not affect the ongoing communication or the strategic objectives” under discussion with the authorities in Damascus.
A race against time: Implementing the March 10 agreement
This visit is of paramount importance as it comes in the final days of 2025, the deadline for implementing the terms of the historic agreement signed on March 10, 2025, between Mazloum Abdi and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The agreement focuses on two main axes:
Military and security integration: Integrating the SDF units into the structure of the Syrian Ministries of Defense and Interior.
Administration and decentralization: Establishing the unity of Syrian territory while granting administrative powers to the regions of northern and eastern Syria within the concept of decentralization.
Conflicting statements and a fragile position
Despite the SDF’s assurances that the postponement is procedural, observers note a divergence in viewpoints that has emerged in recent days. The SDF insists that there are solid understandings regarding the integration mechanisms, while Damascus has issued statements accusing the other side of stalling as the year draws to a close.
Analysts believe that the complex security arrangements in the northeast of the country and the fragile security situation are the primary drivers of the logistical delays. They also rule out a collapse of the negotiations at this critical juncture, which precedes the final deadlines for the agreement.
