SDF’s Abdi rejects vice presidency offer from al-Sharaa
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Commander-in-Chief Mazloum Abdi rejected an offer to become one of Syria’s vice presidents, according to sources familiar with talks with Transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa, as negotiations continue over the political future of Kurdish-led institutions within the Syrian state framework.
The offer was reportedly made during a meeting in Damascus on April 16 between al-Sharaa and a Kurdish delegation led by Abdi. The talks focused on integrating Kurdish civilian and security structures into central government institutions, al-Monitor reported.
Al-Monitor cited sources as saying that Abdi declined the proposal, viewing it as largely symbolic and lacking meaningful executive authority. Kurdish officials have repeatedly emphasized that any political arrangement must include real decision-making power rather than representational posts.
Also present at the meeting were Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, Kurdish political figure Ilham Ahmad, Co-Chair of the Department of Foreign Relations of the Kurdish Autonomous Administration, and al-Sharaa’s envoy for Kurdish affairs Ziyad al-Ayesh. According to well-placed sources, the discussions were described as cordial.
The meeting took place amid broader political and military shifts in northeastern Syria, including the withdrawal of U.S. forces from their last base in Qasrak. The United States Department of Defense confirmed the pullout, which marks a significant change in the security landscape of the region.
Since a US-brokered agreement between Damascus and the SDF came into effect on Jan. 29, limited progress has been made on integration steps, including administrative appointments, prisoner exchanges, and partial reopening of infrastructure links between AANES areas and government-controlled territory.
However, key political disagreements remain unresolved, particularly over constitutional recognition, decentralization, and the future status of Kurdish forces within Syria’s military structure.
In parallel with Abdi’s refusal, sources indicated that al-Sharaa also proposed a senior advisory role for Ilham Ahmad, which she likewise declined, citing similar concerns over lack of substantive authority.
Syrian officials continue to frame the process as a consolidation of state authority, while Kurdish representatives describe it as a negotiation over the terms of political partnership in a post-conflict Syria.