Syria
Flags of Syria (left), France (middle), and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Graphic: Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Negotiations between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the interim authorities in Damascus are underway with coordinated support from the United States and France, diplomatic sources in Paris confirmed to Rudaw on Tuesday, despite ongoing tensions between the two sides.
“The negotiation process between the two parties is underway, with the coordinated support of France and the United States,” the sources stated, asserting, “Alongside our American partners, we maintain a constant dialogue with representatives from northeastern Syria [Rojava] and [Syrian] transitional authorities, and we continue our efforts to bring positions closer together.”
In late July, Qutaibai Idlbi, director of American affairs at Syria's foreign ministry, confirmed to Rudaw exclusively that a meeting between the Syrian government and the SDF would be held in Paris "soon" to finalize integration talks.
Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and SDF chief Mazloum Abdi had on March 10 inked a deal that aims to integrate all civil and military institutions in Rojava, including the SDF, under the authority of the Syrian state.
While parts of the agreement have been partially implemented, major disagreements remain - namely over the interpretation of integration. While the SDF seeks to join the Syrian army as a unified bloc, Damascus insists on individually assimilating Kurdish fighters into its ranks.
However, in early August Damascus cancelled the planned Paris negotiations after Rojava hosted a unity conference that brought together more than 400 members of Syria’s minority groups.
The state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) then quoted an unnamed “Syrian government official” as criticizing the event as contradictory to Damascus’s “One Syria” policy.
“The government affirms that this conference has dealt a blow to the ongoing negotiation effort. Accordingly, it will not participate in any meetings scheduled in Paris,” the official said.
Nevertheless, French diplomatic sources told Rudaw on Tuesday that “significant work has already been accomplished on both sides of the Euphrates,” hoping that “these efforts will help advance toward a balanced, inclusive solution that respects the rights of all Syrians.”
In Syria, the Damascus government and its allies hold the western bank of the Eupharates, while the SDF controls most of the eastern bank, where Rojava is located.
Backed by the US, the SDF functions as the de facto military force in Rojava and remains a key partner of the Global Coalition to Defeat the Islamic State (ISIS) led by Washington.
The French diplomatic sources reiterated on Tuesday that “the integration of the SDF into the Syrian army remains a key issue for the stability of Syria and the region and for the fight against terrorism.”
They further asserted Paris’s commitment to “investing in a peaceful transition process that allows for building a free, united, sovereign, stable, inclusive Syria,” underlining that “civil peace must be preserved, and the ongoing transition process supported, because only its proper progress will ensure Syria’s unity, stability, and sovereignty, as well as security for all Syrians.”
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