The President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Nechirvan Barzani, took advantage of the presence of Tom Barrack, the envoy of US President Donald Trump to Syria and Iraq, in the city of Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, to hold a tripartite meeting that included, in addition to them, the Commander-in-Chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces “SDF”, Mazloum Abdi, which focused on pushing forward with a comprehensive political solution and establishing the rights of the Kurds in Syria, as well as efforts to integrate the Kurdish forces into the Syrian state, which “are proceeding at the highest political and administrative levels”, according to what Syrian sources revealed to “Al-Quds Al-Arabi”.
According to the sources, the integration process includes “various Syrian state institutions, within the framework of understandings aimed at integrating the military and civilian institutions affiliated with the self-administration into the state structure.”
Sources indicated that Ilham Ahmed, the co-chair of the Department of Foreign Relations in the Kurdish self-administration, is a candidate to assume the position of deputy to Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, in a move that reflects a trend to involve figures from the self-administration in central state institutions.
Abdi: The most prominent issues discussed were the steps being taken to integrate our forces and the self-administration into the Syrian government.
Amid this information, Abdi spoke about the details of the tripartite meeting that took place on Tuesday evening, indicating in a “post” that he was “honored to meet Barzani and Barak, where they discussed important issues.”
He explained that “the most prominent issues discussed were the steps taken to integrate our forces and the self-administration into the Syrian government, in addition to following up on the implementation of agreements that would enhance the political process and stability in the region.”
He added that “during the meeting, support was emphasized for efforts to combat terrorism, and to advance a comprehensive political solution in Syria that ensures the participation of all components in the government and the shaping of the country’s future.”
The commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces praised the “supportive role of the Kurdistan Region in promoting regional stability and dialogue between the parties in a way that serves security and peace in the region.”
Prior to that, Barzani had met with Abdi alone, and discussed with him the situation of the Kurds in Syria and coordination and cooperation with Damascus.
According to a statement issued by the Kurdistan Region Presidency, the meeting also discussed “political and security developments in Syria and the region, the situation of the Kurds and the components therein, efforts to resolve problems and reach an understanding between the Kurdish parties, and coordination and cooperation between them and Damascus.”
Both sides stressed the importance of “continuing dialogue, maintaining stability, and achieving peace in the region,” according to the statement, which also indicated that discussions on “ways to confront terrorism and enhance coordination to maintain security” formed another focus of the meeting.
The Presidency of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq indicated in a press statement that the “tripartite meeting” included an emphasis on “the rights of the Kurds in Syria.”
The Presidency of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq indicated that the “tripartite meeting” included an emphasis on “the rights of the Kurds in Syria.”
She also stated that “the meeting discussed the latest political and security developments in the region, the situation in Syria, and cooperation between the Kurds and Damascus,” indicating that the US President’s special envoy affirmed “his country’s continued support for maintaining security and stability and finding appropriate solutions to the problems in Syria.”
According to the statement, Barzani stressed that “dialogue and understanding between the parties, and guaranteeing the rights of the Kurds and the components in Syria, is the way to solve the problems. In this context, the Kurdistan Region expressed its readiness to provide all forms of cooperation and support to solve the problems and maintain security and stability.”
The statement noted that “strengthening cooperation and joint coordination to confront the dangers of terrorism and achieve lasting security and stability in the region was another focus of the meeting.”
Regarding the integration of the SDF into Syrian state institutions, a responsible source in the Syrian Democratic Forces revealed to the Rudaw Media Network that eight thousand members have not yet been integrated.
He said that three brigades belonging to the Syrian Democratic Forces were stationed in agreed-upon barracks in Hasakah (Kawkab and Qasrak base), Qamishli (Tartab), and Derik (Derik Battalion), within the framework of forming the 60th Division in the Syrian Army.
According to the source, brigade members will receive their training in batches at a military academy in the Damascus countryside, while brigade and battalion commanders will undergo training at the Military College in Homs.
The source indicated that the process of evacuating the SDF headquarters and handing them over to the civil administration of the governorates is still ongoing, explaining that the reason for the incomplete integration process is that “the number of SDF members is very large compared to the number agreed upon within the brigades, so discussions are still ongoing to include all members.”
Regarding the number of fighters, the source explained that the remaining number of Syrian Democratic Forces after the recent events is 20,000 members, who were distributed as follows: Four thousand members joined the Internal Security Forces and security institutions, five thousand members joined the three newly formed brigades, and about one thousand young men from the people of Afrin returned to their city with their families, while two thousand other young men from Afrin are waiting to return and join a military unit there in a coordinated manner.
Regarding the families of the dead and wounded, the source confirmed that coordination took place between the institutions of the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian Ministry of Defense, so that the latter would provide all services to them, including salaries and other allowances.
The source concluded that there are still eight thousand fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces who have not yet joined any military or security institution, while talks continue between the two sides to find solutions to absorb them and complete the integration process within the institutions of the Syrian state.
Barzani and Barak agreed on the importance of "restricting weapons to the state" in Iraq
Barzani and Barak had agreed on the importance of “restricting weapons to the state” in Iraq.
This came during Barzani’s reception of Barak in Erbil, where the two sides held a meeting during which they discussed US relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, according to a separate statement.
Trump's envoy reiterated his country's strong support for the new Iraqi government, and both sides agreed on the importance of restricting weapons to the state.
Barzani affirmed “the Kurdistan Region’s support for Ali al-Zaidi’s government and for resolving Iraq’s problems, especially the outstanding issues between the Kurdistan Region and the federal government, on the basis of the constitution.”
The two sides also agreed on the importance of “transforming the nature of relations between America and Iraq towards a balanced and long-term economic partnership, in a way that serves the best interests of both parties.”
The latest developments in the region, the internal situation in the Kurdistan Region, and relations between Erbil and Baghdad were another focus of the meeting, where they praised the agreement between the United States and Iran to end the war, and expressed their hope that it would contribute to achieving peace and stability in the region.
It is noted that the visit of the US envoy to Erbil, coming from the federal capital Baghdad, also included a meeting with the head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, Masoud Barzani.
The visit of the US envoy to Erbil, coming from the federal capital Baghdad, also included a meeting with the head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, Masoud Barzani.
According to a statement from Barzani’s headquarters, Barak indicated during the meeting that “Iraq and the region need stability, and that the Kurdistan Region plays an important and essential role in the present and the future,” while expressing at the same time his “admiration for the development and progress witnessed in the Kurdistan Region,” describing it as “exemplary.”
Barzani stressed that “the Kurdistan Region has always been a stabilizing factor, and that it supports dialogue and diplomatic solutions to all of Iraq’s and the region’s problems,” noting that “the Kurdistan Region has never been part of the problems, but it has always been unfairly harmed by the consequences of wars and conflicts in the region.”
Barzani also explained the need for “the Middle East to move towards a stable situation that brings prosperity to the people of the region.”
In another part of the meeting, the importance of “joint work and coordination between the Kurdistan Region and the new Iraqi government” was highlighted.
While the US envoy spoke of the need to “stabilize the Iraqi political system and protect the state’s role in controlling unofficial armed forces,” he reiterated his country’s support for “the Iraqi federal prime minister in the process of restricting weapons to the state and ending the influence of militias,” as stated in the statement.
Regarding the new Iraqi government, Barzani affirmed his support for Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi, stressing the need for “everyone to learn from the mistakes of the past and to work on the basis of the principles of partnership, balance, and consensus, and within the framework of the constitution.”
In another part of the meeting, views were exchanged on the situation in the region and its equations, and the two sides agreed to “work together according to common priorities to enhance the stability of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and to build a long-term strategic friendship in economic aspects and encourage investment,” according to the statement.
The head of the regional government renewed his “thanks and appreciation to the United States for its continued support.”
Among the stops on the Erbil visit, Trump’s envoy held a meeting with the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Masrour Barzani, which was attended by the Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Baghdad, Joshua Harris, and the Commander of the Coalition Forces in Iraq and Syria, General Kevin Lambert.
A statement from the regional government indicated that Barzani and Barak discussed “the general situation in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq and the region,” and while the head of the regional government renewed “his thanks and appreciation to the United States for its continued support,” he stressed the importance of “strengthening bilateral cooperation in various fields.”
The two sides agreed to “develop trade relations between the United States, Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and to promote the activity of American companies, particularly in the energy sector.”
They also affirmed their support for the new federal government headed by Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi, which contributes to achieving economic prosperity and serving all citizens and components in Iraq, as well as addressing outstanding issues between Baghdad and Erbil in accordance with the constitution.
On another front, both sides stressed the importance of “activating the Kurdistan Parliament and ending the political deadlock, which would pave the way for the formation of the new cabinet of the regional government as soon as possible.”
