As part of his regional tour in the Middle East, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot arrived Thursday in Damascus, where he intends to discuss the fight against terrorism and the recent tensions between the United States and Iran. It is expected that a meeting will be held with his Syrian counterpart, Asaad Al-Shaibani, to discuss the comprehensive agreement to integrate Kurdish forces into the Syrian army.

Published on: 05/02/2026 - 04:22

A diplomatic source announced that French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot arrived in Damascus on Thursday at the start of a regional tour in the Middle East in which he will address issues of combating terrorism and the repercussions of the ongoing escalation between the United States and Iran.

During this visit, Jean-Noel Barot will meet with his counterpart, Asaad Al-Shaibani, in Damascus, in light of the tensions witnessed in the northeast of the country in recent weeks between the Syrian authorities and the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which ended with the signing of a comprehensive agreement stipulating the integration of Kurdish forces into the Syrian army, and the entry of Damascus forces into the areas previously dominated by the Kurds.

This is the French minister's second visit to Syria since the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. From Damascus, Barrow heads to Iraq, before landing in Lebanon to complete his tour and meet with a number of its leaders.

Paris considers that the stability of Syria is an essential and indispensable element for the security of the region, and it also considers that the integration of minorities into the new political scene represents a fundamental issue.

Since the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, France has been presenting itself as a guarantor party to protect the rights of the Kurds, who played a pivotal role in the Western coalition formed to confront ISIS.

Paris seeks to advance respect for the agreement signed last week, which aims to integrate Kurdish institutions and forces into the institutions of the Syrian state.

However, this agreement actually constituted a major setback for the Kurds, who aspired to preserve the gains of self-administration that they had built during the years of conflict extending from 2011 to 2024.

To Baghdad and Beirut

From Syrian territory, Barrow moves to Baghdad, where he intends to hold talks with the Iraqi Prime Minister and Foreign Minister there.

The program also includes the French minister heading to northern Iraq to visit Erbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdistan region, to hold a meeting with the head of the local government.

A statement to Confafro said that Barrow's visit to Iraq aims in particular to "work with the federal and regional Kurdish authorities to establish stability and continue the fight against ISIS."

Read also: Al-Sharaa meets Macron on Wednesday in Paris in the Syrian president’s first visit to Europe

It is also expected to discuss the file of French jihadist fighters who were recently transferred from Syria to Iraqi prisons awaiting trial, at a time when Paris fears the return of the Islamic State to the forefront in a region burdened by conflicts, whether between Israel and Hamas, or between the Hebrew state and Hezbollah, which is close to Iran, in addition to the state of instability in Iran.

Barrow will continue his tour on Friday by arriving in Beirut, to discuss following up on the French government's plan aimed at disarming Hezbollah.

The French Minister will also discuss the ongoing preparations for holding a conference to support the Lebanese Army and the Internal Security Forces, scheduled for early March in Paris, which aims to provide financial and logistical support to these two institutions, especially within the framework of the mission to disarm Hezbollah.

France 24/AFP

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