President Masoud Barzani, US envoy discuss Syria

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - President Masoud Barzani and United States Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack discussed regional developments and the situation in Syria during a phone call on Sunday, emphasizing the need to prevent further instability.

“During this conversation, both parties shared their perspectives on the overall political climate in the region, as well as the most recent developments and changes in Syria,” Barzani’s office said in a statement, adding that “they mutually agreed that all efforts and necessary measures should continue to be taken to avert chaos, instability, and conflict, and to ensure peace and stability.”

The statement said both sides also praised each other’s roles in supporting peace and stability in the region. President Barzani expressed appreciation for US engagement in Syria and “underscored the importance of maintaining the alliance between the people of Kurdistan and the United States.”

The call came days after the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Damascus reached an internationally brokered agreement on January 29, following weeks of clashes across northern and northeastern Syria.

The deal, facilitated mainly by the US and France, aims to end hostilities and integrate the civil and military institutions of northeast Syria (Rojava) under Syrian state authority.

The agreement followed a mid-January offensive by the Syrian Arab Army and allied armed groups targeting SDF-held areas.

On Friday, Barzani, who is also the leader of the Kurdistan Region’s ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), hosted SDF commander Mazloum Abdi and other senior Rojava officials to discuss implementation of the ceasefire and the integration agreement.