The president of Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region conducted talks with Syria’s president in the capital on Monday, marking the first visit by an Iraqi Kurdish leader to Syria following the transition in Syrian leadership. Barzani arrived with a delegation and was received at the People’s Palace, where discussions centered on bilateral relations, economic cooperation, and regional developments.
Both sides emphasized strengthening coordination, particularly in economic matters and areas of mutual interest related to regional stability. Barzani stated that neighboring countries share common interests and identified significant potential for expanded economic cooperation. He also highlighted the importance of Syria’s broader role in promoting peace and security across the region.
The visit occurs as Damascus works to complete the integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish-led militia controlling key northeastern territories, into state institutions. The SDF and Syrian government reached an agreement earlier this year outlining the incorporation of SDF fighters into national defence and interior ministries. Following this arrangement, SDF territorial control has contracted from its historical peak to core strongholds, with administrative authority transferred to state institutions in other areas.
Observers indicated that Kurdish rights protections would likely feature prominently in discussions. The agenda reportedly extended to several pressing matters, including the management of detention facilities holding alleged extremist fighters and family members of various nationalities, as well as border security concerns involving narcotics and weapons smuggling. Kurdish leaders have previously called for constitutional guarantees regarding language rights and administrative autonomy as part of Syria’s governance reconstruction.
The meeting follows previous diplomatic encounters between the two leaders and months of engagement between Erbil and Damascus aimed at strengthening bilateral ties. Despite reports of occasional clashes between Syrian forces and Kurdish fighters in the northeast, both parties have indicated commitment to advancing the integration framework established in the earlier accord.
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