Middle East
President Masoud Barzani (left) and Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa (right). Graphic: Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - President Masoud Barzani and Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa stressed Kurdish rights, inclusion and the need to preserve social peace in Syria during a phone call on Friday, as fighting and mass displacement intensify in Aleppo's predominantly Kurdish neighborhoods of Ashrafiyah and Sheikh Maqsood.
“In the phone call, the latest political developments in Syria and regional dynamics were discussed,” Barzani’s headquarters said in a statement, adding that “both sides stressed the need for mutual cooperation and stability.”
According to the statement, Barzani expressed appreciation for Sharaa’s vision and voiced support for “the wishes and aspirations of Syrians to build a state that includes and involves all sides and components.” He also emphasized the need for continued consultation and coordination “to consider the interests of all sides and preserve social peace.”
Syria’s presidency said Sharaa, for his part, stressed that Kurds are “an authentic and fundamental component of the fabric of the Syrian people,” affirming the state’s commitment to guaranteeing “all their national, political, and civil rights on equal footing with the rest of the Syrian people, without any discrimination.”
The call came days after Barzani, on Wednesday, warned of a “serious threat” to civilian lives in Aleppo and cautioned against “the danger of ethnic cleansing against Kurds in that area.” He urged Damascus “not to turn political disagreements into ethnic conflict” and warned against pressure, displacement, or “ethnic cleansing against Kurdish citizens.”
The Barzani Charity Foundation (BCF) said on Friday that more than 138,000 people displaced from the two neighborhoods have fled to Afrin. Rawaj Haji, a member of the BCF administrative board, told Rudaw that the foundation has launched large-scale relief efforts to assist the displaced families.
The displacement follows a large-scale offensive launched by the Syrian Arab Army against the two neighborhoods, now in its fourth day. The Kurdish Internal Security Forces (Asayish), affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), have continued to repel the attacks. Official figures show at least 20 people have been killed and 57 others wounded so far.
The escalation comes despite a landmark agreement reached in March between Damascus and the SDF that established a nationwide ceasefire. Talks between the two sides are ongoing, but the latest round, held on Sunday, failed to produce tangible results, according to Syrian state media.
Updated at 5:20 pm.
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