President Masoud Barzani, Syria's Sharaa discuss Damascus-SDF deal

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - President Masoud Barzani and Syrian interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa spoke on the phone on Saturday, discussing the latest developments in the country, including the recent agreement between Damascus and the Kurdish region in northeast Syria (Rojava).

"During the phone conversation, they discussed the situation in Syria, the latest developments, the agreement between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces, and future steps," read a statement from President Masoud Barzani's office. 

SDF announced on Friday that it had reached an agreement with the interim government in Damascus over the future of Rojava and the integration of its civilians and military institutions into state. 

President Barzani, leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party and former president of Kurdistan Region, and Sharaa "also emphasized the need to establish peace and stability in Syria, reaffirming that dialogue and mutual understanding are the only way to resolve problems and disagreements," the statement added. 

Syrian Arab Army and affiliated forces carried out a major offensive against SDF positions early January which led to gradual withdrawal of the SDF from areas under their control including regions in Aleppo, Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa, and near the predominantly Kurdish province of Hasaka in eastern Rojava.

The bulk of the areas seized by Damascus and its allied forces were previously liberated by Kurdish-led fighters from ISIS following the group’s declaration of its so-called caliphate in Syria and Iraq in 2014.

The Syrian presidency said in a statement that during the phone call Sharaa "emphasized the Syrian state’s commitment to guaranteeing the national, political, and civil rights of Syrian Kurds, stressing that all Syrians are equal before the law and enjoy equal rights."

It added that the two leaders "stressed the importance of cooperation and joint coordination in a manner that contributes to the implementation of the agreement and the achievement of stability in Syria and the region."