Syrian leader receives Trump envoy in Damascus

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Wednesday received US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack in Damascus, according to a statement from the Syrian presidency.

"The meeting discussed recent developments in the region and issues of mutual interest," said the Syrian presidency in a statement. 

The visit comes amid ongoing talks between Kurdish officials and Damascus over integrating the Kurdish-led administration and its armed forces in northeast Syria (Rojava) into state institutions. 

After weeks of deadly clashes last month between the Syrian Arab Army and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the two sides reached a comprehensive agreement to end hostilities and move forward with an integration process.

As part of the agreement, Damascus earlier this week deployed state security forces to SDF-held areas. These forces are tasked with overseeing the integration of SDF-affiliated local security units into the interior ministry.

The United States and France were among the international powers that mediated the agreement. Kurdish officials have criticized Washington for what they describe as a betrayal of its longtime ally, the SDF. Kurdistan Region's officials also played a key role in facilitating the talks, with several meetings held in Erbil.