SDF dissolution contributes to Türkiye's security: scholar

A Turkish expert has said the dissolution of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) marks an important step toward enhancing Türkiye's security.

Mazloum Abdi, commander of the Kurdish-led SDF, announced Tuesday the dissolution of the force following the completion of its integration into Syrian state institutions, ending a decade-long chapter in which the U.S.-backed group controlled large parts of northern and northeastern Syria.

In an interview, Ozgur Tor, a retired brigadier general and an assistant professor at Istanbul Aydin University, highlighted that the move could help bring stability to the region.

"If unity can be achieved among our neighbors within the framework of a nation-state, then of course this would also contribute to Türkiye's security. How realistic this will be on the ground remains to be monitored and assessed," said Tor.

Tuesday's announcement capped months of difficult negotiations and intermittent military confrontation between Damascus and the SDF over the future of northeastern Syria and the shape of the country's post-war state.

The two sides initially agreed in early 2025 to integrate the SDF and the Kurdish-led administration's civilian institutions into the Syrian state. Implementation, however, became bogged down amid disagreements over the structure of the integration, military command arrangements and the degree of autonomy Kurdish authorities would retain.

Tor also stressed that the development would allow Türkiye to engage directly with Syria's central government, rather than viewing the issue solely through military and security lens.

"This will contribute to Türkiye's security. Türkiye will now deal with Syria's central government, because diplomacy takes place between states and between foreign ministries. This should not be viewed solely as a military and security issue. From a broader strategic perspective, it will of course make a positive contribution to Türkiye's security," he said.

Since its formation in 2015, the SDF had been backed primarily by the United States and served as Washington's main local partner in the fight against Islamic State militants.

SDF dissolution contributes to Türkiye's security: scholar

China's Zhejiang Province and Shanghai have ramped up preparations as Typhoon Saudel advances toward the country's eastern coastline.

In response to the potential wind and rain impacts of Saudel, the 18th typhoon of the year, coastal areas of Ningbo in Zhejiang activated the highest typhoon emergency response starting at 18:00 Wednesday.

As part of the response, Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in Zhejiang has evacuated 55 large container vessels, with all terminals suspending operations.

In Shanghai's Chongming District, ferry services were fully suspended on Thursday.

Shanghai's flood control department began coordinating hydraulic hubs on Tuesday to discharge water and free up storage capacity ahead of the storm.

Zhejiang, Shanghai ramp up preparations as Typhoon Saudel approaches China's coastline