The President of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, is discussing in Damascus on Monday, in his first visit to the Syrian capital since the new authorities took over the reins of power, mechanisms for activating the agreement to integrate Kurdish institutions into the structure of the Syrian state, according to what two Syrian official sources reported. The Syrian presidency reported in a statement that President Ahmed Al-Sharaa received Barzani and discussed with him “ways to enhance cooperation and coordination, especially in the economic field.”

Published on: 03/08/2026 - 15:49 Last updated: 03/08/2026 - 21:54

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The Syrian presidency reported in a statement that President Ahmed al-Sharaa received Barzani and discussed with him “ways to enhance cooperation and coordination, especially in the economic field.” In addition to reviewing the situation in the region and issues of common interest.

According to two official sources, the President of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, arrived in Damascus on Monday, on his first visit since Ahmed al-Sharaa took power, and focused on advancing the implementation of the agreement to integrate Kurdish institutions within the framework of the state.

This visit comes after Erbil, the capital of the region, formed a major station for political communications during the clashes that broke out between Syrian government forces and the Kurds in early 2026.

Erbil then witnessed meetings between the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazloum Abdi, and the president of the region, Nechirvan Barzani, under American sponsorship, which led in late January to Damascus and the Kurdish forces reaching an agreement stipulating the integration of the institutions of the Kurdish Autonomous Administration and its military forces into state institutions.

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For his part, a Syrian government source confirmed that the talks mainly aim to discuss "the January 29 agreement and procedures for integrating the Syrian Democratic Forces into the Syrian government."

A Syrian diplomatic source also pointed out that the one-day visit “will mainly discuss following up on the agreement between the state” and the Syrian Democratic Forces, suggesting that a meeting will likely be held between Barzani and the forces’ commander, Mazloum Abdi.

Barzani had previously welcomed the agreement concluded between Damascus and the Kurdish forces, stressing that it represented “an important step in the right direction,” and expressing his hope that it would “pave the way for rebuilding a unified Syria, protecting the rights of the Kurds and all components in the next constitution, and achieving peace for Syria and the entire region.”

On the ground and politically, this agreement represented a devastating blow to the Kurdish ambitions that were seeking to preserve the gains of the Autonomous Administration that they had built during the years of the conflict in Syria, which included organized and trained civil and military institutions that managed large areas in the north and east of the country that included vital oil and gas fields.

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The signing of the agreement was followed by field and executive steps, which included the entry of Syrian security forces into the cities of Al-Hasakah and Qamishli, the state taking over management of Qamishli Airport and the most prominent oil fields in the northeast, in addition to the appointment of the prominent Kurdish military leader Siban Hamo as Assistant Minister of Defense for the Eastern Region, within the framework of implementing the approved provisions.

On the military level, the agreement stipulates the formation of a military division that includes three brigades from the Syrian Democratic Forces to be integrated into the Syrian army in the northeast of the country, in addition to the formation of another brigade for the Kobani Ain al-Arab forces. However, a difference in views still exists between the two parties regarding the practical mechanisms and executive steps to complete the comprehensive integration process.

France 24/AFP

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