Ilham Ahmed, the co-chair of the Foreign Relations Department in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, stated that Mazloum Abdi, the leader of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), has firmly decided not to take on any official roles in the Syrian government. This decision was highlighted during an interview with Al Jazeera, where Ahmed explained that Abdi's choice comes amidst ongoing efforts to integrate SDF forces into the Syrian state, particularly within its military framework.

The statements were made following a meeting where both Ahmed and Abdi, along with Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shibani, discussed key developments regarding the situation in Syria with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Munich Security Conference. The talks predominantly revolved around the integration of the SDF into the Syrian army and the administrative and service institutions, underscoring the importance of the current political climate in Syria as it grapples with issues of governance and military integration.

Ahmed also noted the high level of international interest in the integration process, indicating that various international stakeholders are closely monitoring the situation. The discussions at the Munich conference represent a critical juncture for not only the SDF but for the broader political landscape in Syria, suggesting ongoing international engagement and scrutiny of the evolving dynamics within the Syrian government and military structure.