Iraqi Kurdish regional leader meets Syrian president in Damascus
Iraqi Kurdish regional leader Barzani met with Syrian President al-Sharaa in Damascus to discuss the integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces and Kurdish rights in post-Assad Syria.
Barzani, the leader of Iraq's Kurdish region, arrived in Damascus on Tuesday for a meeting with Syrian President al-Sharaa. The talks focused on the integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into state structures and the protection of Kurdish rights in the new reality of post-Assad Syria.
This is one of the rare public encounters between the two regional leaders, reflecting an intensification of negotiations over Syria's future. Barzani represents the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, which has close ties to Kurdish groups in Syria. Al-Sharaa, meanwhile, is leading Syria's transitional process after a prolonged conflict.
The discussions centered on the question of incorporating the SDF, an alliance in which Kurdish forces play a significant role, into the Syrian army or other state institutions. The parties also addressed guarantees for the rights of the Kurdish minority, including cultural and self-governance aspects.
The meeting comes at a time when the international community is closely watching Syria's transitional efforts and the attempts to establish a stable political order after decades of authoritarian rule. These talks could mark an important step toward a more inclusive political dialogue in Syria.
