Mazloum Abdi calls for stronger U.S. support as SDF struggles to contain ISIS threat
HASAKAH, Syria (North Press) – Commander-in-Chief of the Syrian Democratic forces (SDF) Mazloum Abdi urged on Sunday Washington to expand its political and financial backing to secure northeast Syria, warning that reduced U.S. assistance has weakened efforts to manage Hawl Camp and contain the growing ISIS threat.
Abdi told The Jerusalem Post that cuts to USAID under President Donald Trump have left the SDF with “much less manpower and humanitarian support” to oversee Hawl Camp. “There is less aid and fewer security personnel,” he said, adding that the SDF is now covering camp operations “from our own budget despite having fewer assets for our own defense.”
Abdi added that he remains grateful for backing from Kurdistan Region of Iraq President Nechirvan Barzani, but noted that “there is room to do more,” especially as Syria enters what he called “a very important junction” in its relationship with the West.
The SDF commander stressed that sleeper cells continue to operate in Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor, and other areas, where SDF fighters are still being killed. He indicated that northeast Syria hosts more than 26 detention centers and three main prisons holding nearly 10,000 ISIS detainees, many of them “extremely dangerous fighters.”
He praised CENTCOM and Admiral Brad Cooper for their support but said the U.S. military “needs more political backing in Congress.” If the U.S. wants to contribute to Syria’s stabilization, Abdi argued, “it must support the SDF” and ensure its inclusion in both the global anti-ISIS Coalition and the country’s new political structure. “U.S. help is greatly needed with decentralization,” he said.
Abdi confirmed ongoing discussions with U.S. envoy Tom Barrack and American military officials regarding the March 10 Agreement, which outlines steps to integrate SDF forces into the new Syrian state. The SDF currently fields nearly 100,000 personnel, including women’s units and border forces it insists must remain intact under any future structure.
Abdi warned that Syria’s Transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa must face conditional U.S. support, citing his past leadership of HTS and recent mass killings in Latakia and Suwayda that heightened fears of further sectarian violence. “The message was: ‘the Kurds will be next,’” he said.
He added that Iran is attempting to rebuild proxy networks even as its influence declines and said former regime officers abroad have been contacted to form new groups.
Abdi concluded by calling for “genuine change” from Syria’s leadership: “There are no alternatives to the SDF. The United States must play a more balanced and committed role.”