ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Wednesday welcomed the integration of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into Syrian government forces, describing the progress as an important step toward strengthening security and stability in Syria. He also hailed the chief of the now-dissolved SDF and Syrian president for the move.
“I welcome the significant progress made in the process of integrating the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) with the Syrian government forces, as well as the steps taken to implement the agreements reached between them,” Barzani said in a statement on X.
“I see this as an important development toward strengthening Syria’s security and stability,” he added, calling on Kurdish parties and Syria’s various communities to support the process and contribute to its success.
Barzani also praised Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa for what he described as his “wise vision” and “responsible approach” to resolving issues through dialogue and understanding.
“I also appreciate the role and efforts of Mr. Mazloum Abdi in ensuring the success of this process,” he said, referring to the commander of the SDF.
The remarks come a day after Abdi announced the dissolution of the SDF as an independent military force during a press conference in Damascus, saying its fighters had been integrated into the Syrian army. He also met with Sharaa on the same day.
The announcement drew widespread international and regional support.
French President Emmanuel Macron described the development as a “decisive step” in the peaceful integration of the SDF into the Syrian state, praising Sharaa’s commitment and Abdi’s “sense of responsibility.” US Special Envoy for Syria and Iraq Tom Barrack called the decision “absolutely historic,” while Britain said it represented an important step toward a “peaceful, stable and unified Syria.”
Saudi Arabia also welcomed the integration, saying it contributes to Syria’s security and stability, while Turkey described the SDF’s dissolution as an important development in strengthening Syrian state authority.
The SDF and Damascus signed an agreement on January 29 to integrate the force and the civilian institutions of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES) into Syrian state structures. The agreement followed weeks of fighting and was reached with international mediation.
Barzani has played a role in efforts to bridge differences between Damascus and the Kurdish leadership in northeast Syria. He visited Damascus earlier this year for talks with Sharaa and has held meetings with Abdi and US officials focused on the integration process and Kurdish rights in Syria.
“We look forward to the completion of this process in a way that marks the beginning of a new phase in Syria, in which the rights of all its citizens and components are safeguarded, and the country moves toward greater peace, security, stability, recovery and prosperity,” Barzani said.
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