French FM speaks with SDF chief, expresses support for Syrian Kurds
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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot spoke with Mazloum Abdi, commander-in-chief of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), on Friday to confirm that Paris will host the next round of talks between the SDF and Damascus. Barrot also reiterated France's support for Syrian Kurds, according to the French foreign ministry.
'This exchange provided an opportunity to confirm the upcoming holding in Paris of a negotiation session between the Syrian transitional authorities and the Syrian Democratic Forces with a view to implement the March 10 agreement, under the auspices of France and the United States,' read a statement from the ministry.
'The minister reiterated France's support for defining a negotiated and peaceful solution for the unification of Syria, the integration of the population of northeastern Syria into the political transition process, and the guarantee of Kurdish rights,' said the statement from the French foreign ministry.
Earlier in the day, Barrot met with US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani. The meeting, in which they discussed negotiations between the SDF and Damascus, was 'very frank and productive,' according to the French ministry.
Abdi and Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa on March 10 signed an agreement that outlines the future of the SDF and Rojava. While parts of the agreement have been implemented, key provisions - such as integrating the US-backed SDF into Syrian state forces - remain contested.
Kurdish leaders have voiced concern over the centralization of power and the prominence of Islamic law in the transitional constitution adopted by Syria's interim government. They have repeatedly denied accusations of separatism and have called instead for federalism. Kurds held a national conference earlier this year, calling for decentralization.
Following the conversation between Barrot and Abdi, an official from the Syrian foreign ministry told the state-run TV channel al-Ikhbariya that France has agreed to 'pressure the SDF to reach the solution desired by Syrians.'
Qutaiba Idlibi, director of the American Affairs Department at the ministry, said that the scheduled meeting between the SDF and Damascus in Paris is the continuation of talks with the Kurdish-led force about their 'full integration.'
In recent interviews, SDF representatives have said the force must retain its own weapons and join the Syrian army as a block.
'Handing over weapons is a red line. It is not possible to hand over weapons,' Farhad Shami, head of SDF media centre, told Syria's Alyaum TV on Wednesday.
SDF spokesperson Abjar Dawoud told Saudi-based Asharq Al-Awsat on Tuesday that the SDF could join the Syrian army 'through a constitutional and legal agreement that recognizes the specificity of our forces,' adding that they refuse to 'surrender' their weapons 'in light of the increase in the pace of violence' in Suwayda province, where at least 1,300 people were killed in a week of clashes.
He said it is also 'impossible' for the SDF to hand over its weapons while the Islamic State (ISIS) remains a threat to northeast Syria.
An unnamed senior official from the Syrian government told al-Ikhbariya on Thursday that the SDF's demands are not acceptable.
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