World
President Masoud Barzani (right) received US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack in Erbil on January 17, 2026. Photo: Barzani's office
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - President Masoud Barzani on Saturday received US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack in Erbil to discuss the latest developments in Syria.
The meeting "focused on the situation in Syria and the latest field developments, emphasizing that resolving these issues requires dialogue, understanding, and a peaceful approach," according to a statement from Barzani’s office.
President Barzani "expressed appreciation for the US role in supporting the parties in Syria to reach solutions to the challenges and stressed the importance of guaranteeing the rights of the Kurdish people in Syria in the future."
Meanwhile, the Syrian Arab Army on Saturday launched fresh attacks on the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Deir Hafer and surrounding areas in eastern Aleppo, despite a ceasefire brokered by the US and other allies of both sides. Under the truce, the SDF had agreed to withdraw fighters from three areas west of the Euphrates River, described by the Kurdish-led force as a goodwill gesture to prevent further escalation.
However, on Saturday, the SDF accused Damascus of violating the ceasefire by launching new attacks on their forces while they were preparing to withdraw to areas east of the Euphrates.
The army also eyes the control of more SDF-held areas.
The meeting "focused on the situation in Syria and the latest field developments, emphasizing that resolving these issues requires dialogue, understanding, and a peaceful approach," according to a statement from Barzani’s office.
President Barzani "expressed appreciation for the US role in supporting the parties in Syria to reach solutions to the challenges and stressed the importance of guaranteeing the rights of the Kurdish people in Syria in the future."
Meanwhile, the Syrian Arab Army on Saturday launched fresh attacks on the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Deir Hafer and surrounding areas in eastern Aleppo, despite a ceasefire brokered by the US and other allies of both sides. Under the truce, the SDF had agreed to withdraw fighters from three areas west of the Euphrates River, described by the Kurdish-led force as a goodwill gesture to prevent further escalation.
However, on Saturday, the SDF accused Damascus of violating the ceasefire by launching new attacks on their forces while they were preparing to withdraw to areas east of the Euphrates.
The army also eyes the control of more SDF-held areas.
Comments
Rudaw moderates all comments submitted on our website. We welcome comments which are relevant to the article and encourage further discussion about the issues that matter to you. We also welcome constructive criticism about Rudaw.
To be approved for publication, however, your comments must meet our community guidelines.
We will not tolerate the following: profanity, threats, personal attacks, vulgarity, abuse (such as sexism, racism, homophobia or xenophobia), or commercial or personal promotion.
Comments that do not meet our guidelines will be rejected. Comments are not edited – they are either approved or rejected.
Post a comment