Barzani Visits Damascus to Advance Syria Kurdish Integration Talks
DAMASCUS- Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa met Iraqi Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani in Damascus on Monday for talks focused on advancing the implementation of an agreement to integrate Syria’s Kurdish-led institutions and armed forces into the Syrian state, Syrian officials and diplomatic sources said.
The meeting marked the first visit by the head of Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan Region to Syria since the overthrow of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, according to Syria’s state news agency SANA.
Sharaa’s office said the two leaders discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation and coordination, particularly in the economic sphere, with the aim of supporting security and stability.
A Syrian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the discussions would also focus on the January agreement between Damascus and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), including procedures for integrating the force into Syria’s state institutions.
A separate Syrian diplomatic source said the one-day visit was primarily intended to follow up on implementation of the accord reached after clashes earlier this year between Syrian government forces and Kurdish fighters. The source added that Barzani could also meet SDF commander Mazloum Abdi during his visit.
The integration agreement was reached after fighting in January between the new Syrian authorities and Kurdish forces. The deal provided for the incorporation of Kurdish institutions and military formations into the Syrian state, effectively ending Kurdish aspirations for autonomous administration over large parts of northern and northeastern Syria that had developed during the country’s civil war.
Barzani had played a diplomatic role during the January crisis, meeting Abdi in Irbil in a U.S.-backed initiative while efforts were underway to reduce tensions between the two sides.
Since the agreement was signed, Damascus and Kurdish authorities have taken several steps toward implementation. Syrian government forces have entered the cities of Hasakah and Qamishli, while control of Qamishli airport and key oil fields has been transferred to the Syrian state.
The Syrian government has also appointed senior Kurdish military official Sipan Hamo as regional assistant defense minister, reflecting efforts to integrate Kurdish military leadership into national institutions.
However, implementation of the agreement has progressed unevenly. Differences between Damascus and the Kurdish leadership have delayed the incorporation of several SDF brigades into the Syrian army, according to the sources.
The agreement also called for displaced Syrian Kurds to return to their home areas, although some remain unable to do so.
When the accord was announced earlier this year, Barzani welcomed the agreement and expressed hope that it would safeguard Kurdish rights in Syria’s future constitutional framework.
Monday’s meeting comes as Syria’s new leadership continues efforts to consolidate state authority across territory previously administered by rival armed groups following years of civil conflict.
