Exclusive: SDF Commander Mazlum Abdi and de facto Syria leader Ahmad Sharaa meet in secret to discuss Syria’s future

NEWSROOM — Mazlum Abdi, commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, and Ahmad Sharaa, the de facto leader of Syria, held a closed-door meeting this week, 964media has learned.

The meeting, facilitated by the United States, took place at the Al-Dumayr Air Base in eastern Damascus two days ago. A source familiar with the discussions described them as “to the liking of both” participants, adding that the two leaders “agreed to cooperate on building Syria’s future together.”

Shara, also known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed Al-Jolani, reportedly traveled to the airbase independently, while U.S. personnel transported Abdi to the site via helicopter. Despite facilitating logistics, the Americans “did not participate in the talks,” the source emphasized.

“The meeting was very positive, with both leaders happy with the substance,” the source added.

Following the meeting, which reportedly concluded on an optimistic note, Abdi was flown back to SDF-controlled territory aboard the same helicopter.

The future of the SDF has been a subject of speculation since Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, led by Shara, launched a lightning offensive that resulted in the ousting of Bashar al-Assad’s Baath regime.

Last month, Shara convened with rebel leaders to unify them under the control of Syria’s Ministry of Defense.

On Dec. 12, 2024, SDF-controlled areas adopted the flag of the Syrian revolution, a symbolic shift that came just days after Damascus fell and Assad was deposed.

Since the regime’s collapse, Shara has publicly rejected federalism in Syria while asserting that the state must maintain a monopoly on arms.

Abdi, for his part, has previously signaled the SDF’s willingness to integrate into the Ministry of Defense.