Mazloum Abdi, from champion of Syria Kurdish autonomy to presidential adviser

INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY

Mazloum Abdi, who has been appointed as adviser to Syria's presidency, is shifting into politics after years as a Kurdish military leader heading internationally backed fighters who battled Islamic State group jihadists in Syria. From joining the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in 1990 through to announcing the dissolution of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) this week, Abdi has amassed significant influence among Syria's Kurds.