ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraqi - Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) chief Mazloum Abdi on Thursday announced that the integration of the Kurdish-led armed forces and administration into the Syrian state is "complete," calling for emphasis to now be placed on securing Kurdish rights in the country.

Speaking at an event commemorating the centenary of Qamishli in Rojava (northeast Syria), the Kurdish commander, who led the SDF through years of war against the Islamic State (ISIS), spoke of a "new phase" in the country.

"I want to say that the phase of integrating military, security, and administrative institutions into national state institutions is complete and finished," Abdi told attendees.

Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) chief Mazloum Abdi on Thursday announced that the integration of the Kurdish-led armed forces and administration into the Syrian state is "complete," coming after the January 29 agreement with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa brought an end to… pic.twitter.com/bO45korIm7

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Rojava and Damascus signed an agreement on January 29 that would see the Kurdish-led autonomous administration in northeast Syria brought under the auspices of the Syrian state, coming after violent clashes in Aleppo's Kurdish-majority Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood culminated in a broader offensive by Syrian forces under the leadership of President Ahmed al-Sharaa into Rojava.

Since that juncture, units of the SDF have been absorbed into the Syrian security apparatus and a new nationwide parliament was formed. However, sporadic tensions have arisen due to attacks on displaced Kurds returning to their homes and the nature of the integration process, which has been heavily criticized in some Kurdish quarters and has thus far failed to establish a new role for the all-female Women's Protection Units (YPJ).

"Our struggle will continue to guarantee the rights of the Kurdish people in the Syrian constitution," Abdi continued, calling for the protection of mother tongue education and just political representation.

The SDF leader also announced that all non-Syrian SDF members have left the country, a key demand from Damascus.

Following the violence, Sharaa in January issued a decree offering concessions designed to foster goodwill with Syria's Kurdish population, including recognizing Newroz as a national holiday, recognizing Kurdish as a national language that may be taught in public and private schools in Kurdish-populated areas, and abolishing the effects of the controversial 1962 census in Hasaka province, thus granting Syrian nationality to previously stateless Kurds.

The decree, however, has not been enshrined in Syria's new transitional constitution, and the elective nature of the Kurdish language offering for students who have gone their whole lives being educated in the language attracted criticism.