Syria: Government, SDF, and Kurdish Autonomous Administration Meet

Syrian media announced on Wednesday the start of a meeting between government officials and a delegation from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Kurdish Autonomous Administration in Damascus.


The meeting comes four months after the signing of a bilateral agreement whose provisions have yet to be implemented.
An agreement signed by Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Commander Mazloum Abdi on March 10, under US auspices, included several provisions, most notably the "integration of all civilian and military institutions in northeastern Syria into the Syrian state administration, including border crossings, the airport, and oil and gas fields."
However, the autonomous administration later criticized the authorities for the constitutional declaration and subsequent formation of a government that it said did not reflect diversity.
Last month, Kurdish forces called for a "decentralized, democratic state," to which Damascus responded by affirming its rejection of "attempts to impose a divisive reality" in the country.
A Kurdish source told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity, that "a Kurdish delegation headed by the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces traveled to Damascus on Wednesday, accompanied by representatives of the international coalition, to meet with Sharaa in the presence of US envoy Tom Barrack."
A source familiar with the meeting's agenda explained that the talks include "discussing four main issues, the first of which is the structure of the Syrian state and the nature of the relationship between the autonomous administration and the government in Damascus, in addition to the issues of the economy and military power."
The Kurds criticize the new government in Damascus's efforts to centralize decision-making and exclude key components from managing the transitional phase.
In a television interview at the end of last May, Abdi affirmed, "We are committed to what we agreed upon with Damascus, and we are currently working to implement this agreement through implementation committees." However, he emphasized his commitment to a "decentralized Syria in which all components live with full rights and no one is excluded."
Despite Shara'a's announcement of the dissolution of all armed factions shortly after his arrival in Damascus, the US-backed Kurds insist on maintaining their organized military force, which proved effective in fighting ISIS until its final stronghold was driven out in 2019.
The Kurdish autonomous administration controls vast areas in northern and eastern Syria, including major oil and gas fields whose resources Damascus needs. It also runs camps and detention centers housing ISIS fighters, including thousands of foreigners.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Sheibani had previously warned that "delaying" the implementation of the terms of the agreement signed with the autonomous administration would "prolong the chaos" in the country.