Kurdistan
US delegation and Kurdish leaders pose for a photo in Sulaimani on February 24, 2026. Photo: PUK
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Mazloum Abdi, leader of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), on Tuesday met with US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack in Sulaimani to discuss the SDF’s integration agreement with Damascus.
The meeting was hosted by Bafel Talabani, leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), and attended by Kurdistan Region Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani.
“During the meeting, all sides affirmed the need for a Syria that respects all its communities, and will work together to help Syria become a constructive country in the region and the international community,” Bafel Talabani’s office said in a statement.
The SDF and the interim government in Damascus reached a comprehensive agreement on January 29 following weeks of clashes between the two sides. The deal was brokered by the US and France.
Parts of the agreement have already been implemented, including the deployment of state forces to SDF-held areas in northeast Syria (Rojava).
Barrack has also held separate meetings this week with Kurdistan Region leaders, including KDP President Masoud Barzani and Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, as well as Iraqi officials.
Upon his arrival in Sulaimani, Abdi also met with Bafel Talabani and Qubad Talabani. The sides discussed the latest developments in Syria and Rojava, as well as Abdi’s recent participation in the Munich Security Conference.
“The SDF Commander expressed his gratitude to the PUK for its stance and continued support in confronting terrorism. President Bafel reiterated that we will continue to support the people of Rojava until Syria becomes a country where everyone’s rights are represented and whose government reflects the diversity of Syrian society,” read a separate statement from the PUK leader’s office.
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