Paris to host next round of SDF-Damascus talks

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot had a “very frank and productive” meeting with US Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani in Paris on Friday, according to a statement from his office that said France will host the next round of talks between Kurdish-led forces and Damascus.

The three discussed Syria’s stability and unity, and strengthening Damascus’ ability to address security concerns. They agreed to “support the Syrian government’s political transition efforts aimed at national reconciliation and cohesion, especially in northeastern Syria and Suwayda,” the French Foreign Ministry stated.

They also agreed “to host as soon as possible the next round of consultations in Paris between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces [SDF] regarding the full implementation of the March 10 agreement,” the ministry added.

There have been reports that SDF commander Mazloum Abdi arrived in Paris on Wednesday for France-mediated talks with Syrian authorities. However, other sources later disputed the reports, citing tensions with Damascus and suggesting the meeting had been postponed.

The Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria (Rojava) is in talks with Damascus about integrating into federal institutions, including the armed forces, per an agreement signed on March 10 between Abdi and Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. 

Syria’s interim government is working to form a unified national army by bringing multiple armed groups under state control and centralized command.

The SDF, the de facto army of Rojava, seeks to join the army as “a bloc,” spokesperson Farhad Shami told Syria’s Alyaum TV on Wednesday. “Handing over weapons is a red line. It is not possible to hand over weapons,” he said.

The Syrian government has rejected this demand, a senior source from Damascus told state-run al-Ikhbariya TV.

Elham Ahmad, a senior official in the Rojava administration, warned that recent violence in the Druze-majority province of Suwayda that left nearly 1,300 people dead has exposed the dangers of Syria’s military structure and “complicates” plans for the SDF’s integration.

“We will continue to work toward building prosperity in Syria in collaboration with friends and partners,” Barrack said in a post on X regarding their meeting.