The Fall of Rojava

But if the SDF is defeated and its relationship with Washington broken, the impact of this political chapter will live on in Kurdish politics across the region. The military and political successes the SDF achieved under Mazloum Abdi have boosted Kurdish pride and confidence, while Washington’s behavior has fueled a powerful sense of betrayal. Meanwhile, for both the Turkish and Syrian governments, this victory will prove empty if they do not take further steps to address Kurdish political aspirations.

This past week, Syria experienced some of the fiercest fighting since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s Baathist regime in December 2024. After a series of intense clashes, the new Syrian government, led Ahmed al-Sharaa, managed to defeat the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and drive them out of much of the territory they controlled. This marks a dramatic shift in the fortunes for the Kurdish-dominated militia, which had long been Washington’s main ally in the fight against the Islamic State.

This past week, Syria experienced some of the fiercest fighting since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s Baathist regime in December 2024. After a series of intense clashes, the new Syrian government, led Ahmed al-Sharaa, managed to defeat the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and drive them out of much of the territory they controlled. This marks a dramatic shift in the fortunes for the Kurdish-dominated militia, which had long been Washington’s main ally in the fight against the Islamic State.

But if the SDF is defeated and its relationship with Washington broken, the impact of this political chapter will live on in Kurdish politics a