President Barzani, France's Macron discuss Syria tensions
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and the French President Emmanuel Macron spoke on the phone on Saturday, discussing a range of topics, including the ongoing fighting between the Syrian army and the Kurdish-led forces.
"Both sides expressed deep concern about the instability and clashes in Syria and called on all parties to de-escalate the situation," read a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency, adding that both leaders also reaffirmed their support for the implementation of the March 2025 agreement between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the interim government in Damascus.
The phone call comes amid international efforts to end the latest round of fighting between the SDF and the Syrian Arab Army. The SDF accuses the army of violating a truce brokered by the US and other international actors.
France and the Kurdistan Region have been actively involved in the efforts toward a peace solution for the Kurdish issue in Syria. A critical meeting was held in Erbil on Saturday between US Special Envoy Tom Barrack and Kurdish leaders from the Region and northeast Syria (Rojava). The meeting was hosted by President Masoud Barzani, leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).
"Furthermore, President Macron praised President Nechirvan Barzani’s role and efforts in mediation and his work toward calming the situation in Syria and preventing further escalation," read the statement from the Kurdish presidency. It added that President Barzani "stressed the need to ensure that the rights of the Kurdish people are secured in Syria’s future constitution."
"Both sides expressed deep concern about the instability and clashes in Syria and called on all parties to de-escalate the situation," read a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency, adding that both leaders also reaffirmed their support for the implementation of the March 2025 agreement between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the interim government in Damascus.
The phone call comes amid international efforts to end the latest round of fighting between the SDF and the Syrian Arab Army. The SDF accuses the army of violating a truce brokered by the US and other international actors.
France and the Kurdistan Region have been actively involved in the efforts toward a peace solution for the Kurdish issue in Syria. A critical meeting was held in Erbil on Saturday between US Special Envoy Tom Barrack and Kurdish leaders from the Region and northeast Syria (Rojava). The meeting was hosted by President Masoud Barzani, leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).
"Furthermore, President Macron praised President Nechirvan Barzani’s role and efforts in mediation and his work toward calming the situation in Syria and preventing further escalation," read the statement from the Kurdish presidency. It added that President Barzani "stressed the need to ensure that the rights of the Kurdish people are secured in Syria’s future constitution."
The Elysee Palace said in a statement that the Kurdish and French presidents "expressed their concern over the ongoing fighting... called on all parties to immediately de-escalate and establish a permanent ceasefire."
It added that they also expressed their support for the resumption without further delay of discussions on the integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces into the Syrian state in accordance with the March 10 agreement and their finalization as soon as possible in the interest of Syrian unity and stability."