The Future of Kurdish Rights: As SDF Dissolves, a New Chapter Begins

From Battlefield to Constitution

After more than a decade of conflict, the dissolution of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) marks a pivotal moment for Kurdish aspirations. The move, which followed months of negotiations and the merger of SDF units into government forces, has sparked intense debate among Kurds in Syria, Iraq, and Turkey. While some see it as an opportunity to engage in the democratic process and secure rights through legal channels, others fear it may undermine decades of struggle for autonomy and recognition.

As President Ahmed al-Sharaa's administration pledged constitutional protections for Kurdish language and political rights, analysts remain skeptical about whether this transition will truly safeguard the Kurds' identity and interests. The shift from military to civilian engagement comes at a time when regional powers—particularly Turkey and the United States—have significantly altered their strategic priorities in the region.

"We want this day to be the beginning of a true transition from the battlefields to the fields of construction, and from the era of weapons to the era of peace," said Mazloum Abdi, leader of the SDF, from the presidential palace in Damascus. "An important page has been turned in Syria's history."

Abdi's comments were met with cautious optimism by some Kurdish leaders who believe this is a chance for Kurds to participate in building a new Syria and demand rights through constitutional mechanisms. However, others argue that the move reflects the influence of external actors—especially Turkey—which has long opposed Kurdish political movements.

Turkey's Calculated Approach

The decision by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) to dissolve its armed wing in May 2025, after years of conflict with Turkey, was widely seen as a major turning point. While Ankara welcomed this move, it also signaled a broader strategy to end what it considers a threat to national security.

As the PKK ended its armed struggle and called for peace talks with Turkey, many Kurds saw this as an opportunity to advance their political goals. But others, including scholars like Sarbast Nabi from Koya University in Iraqi Kurdistan, argue that the move was more about Turkish pressure than a genuine shift in Kurdish strategy.

"The SDF found itself compelled to take this decision, which is a decision subject to the Turkish will, because Turkey holds Abdullah Ocalan," explained Nabi. "Therefore, this decision is neither Syrian nor Kurdish, but rather it is an expression of a Turkish will."

The role of Turkey in shaping the political future of Kurdish groups across the region cannot be understated. Its influence has been felt through military operations along the border and diplomatic efforts aimed at limiting Kurdish autonomy.

The PKK's Peace Process and Its Limitations

While the PKK has taken steps toward peace, its leaders have made it clear that full reconciliation with Turkey hinges on the release of jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan and his comrades. The party's recent symbolic gesture of burning its weapons was seen by some as a sign of commitment to peace—but not necessarily a surrender of all aspirations.

Muhammad Amin Penjweny, an expert on PKK politics, notes that while integration into the Syrian army may have been the only viable option for SDF forces after the fall of the Assad regime, it was not necessarily a victory for Kurdish rights. "It is true that the SDF was a large military force against ISIS, with American assistance, but after the fall of al-Assad the equation changed," he said.

For many Kurds, the question now is whether this transition will result in meaningful political representation or if their rights will continue to be subordinated to broader geopolitical interests. The upcoming constitutional reforms and political negotiations in Syria are likely to determine how these concerns unfold.

Kurdish Rights Across Regions

The situation varies widely depending on where Kurds live. In Iraq, the Kurdish region has a high degree of autonomy and constitutional protections. Since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Iraqi Kurds have been able to govern themselves under a semi-autonomous framework recognized by the constitution.

However, in Syria and Turkey, the path forward remains uncertain. In Syria, the dissolution of the autonomous administration and SDF forces leaves many Kurds without clear protections or structures for advocacy. In Turkey, where Kurdish political movements are still considered illegal, many see little hope for statehood or full rights within the current framework.

In contrast, Iraqi Kurds have been able to enjoy a relatively stable political system with significant self-governance. "What was achieved by Syrian Kurds is better than what they had under Assad," noted Soran Ali, a Kurdish writer based in Iraq. "For Iraq, independence or the creation of a Kurdish state is far fetched because Kurdish semi-autonomous region is legal and recognised by the constitution."

But even in Iraq, many Kurds remain dissatisfied with the status quo. The dream of a greater Kurdistan continues to inspire political activism, even as the reality of international boundaries complicates efforts to unite all Kurdish territories.

The Dream of a Unified Kurdistan

Historically, Kurds have long dreamed of reuniting their people across multiple countries into a single state. However, this vision has often clashed with national boundaries imposed by the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923, which divided Kurdish territories among four nations—Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria.

"The Kurdish dream is gone because of the SDF, PKK, Iraq and Iran," said Ahmed Kani, a nationalist Kurdish researcher in Turkey. "As long as Turkey is a strong state, the Kurds in the four parts of Kurdistan will not be able to achieve their dream of statehood."

These sentiments reflect deep frustration among those who see the current political environment as limiting their ability to realize national aspirations. As more Kurds navigate this transition, the question remains: can peaceful engagement secure real rights, or is armed struggle still necessary?

A Path Forward for Kurdish Rights

As we look ahead, one thing is clear—Kurds must carefully balance political pragmatism with principled resistance. The transition from SDF to constitutional engagement is a critical test of whether the Kurdish struggle can evolve without losing its core objectives.

Analysts suggest that the key will lie in ensuring that Kurdish voices are heard in Syria's constitutional reforms, and that international support continues to back up their efforts. But given the ongoing influence of Turkey and other regional powers, it may take more than just political will to secure lasting rights for Kurds across the region.

The story of the Kurds is far from over. What happens next will depend on how effectively they can mobilize both domestically and internationally, as well as how willing governments are to recognize and support their legitimate claims. In a world shaped by shifting alliances and geopolitical agendas, the Kurds' journey toward political recognition remains fraught with challenges—and hopes.