ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The ongoing negotiations between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the new government in Damascus should be given a chance and sufficient time in order to avoid a full-scale confrontation, the United Nations special envoy to Syria said on Wednesday. "A full-scale military confrontation will have a very negative impact on Syria and should be avoided because I think we are looking for the beginning for a new Syria and hopefully that will also include the northeast in a peaceful manner through a diplomatic process," Geir Pedersen said during a press conference in Damascus. Earlier on Wednesday, AFP cited the Syrian Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra as telling reporters that the transitional government is open to talks with the SDF on its dismantling and being integrated into the national army ministry while warning that they are "ready" to use force if negotiations fail. "We need to give the negotiations between the caretaker authorities and the SDF a chance,” Pederson said. “We are hopeful that we will now allow the two parties enough time to be able to move forward so that this does not end in a full military confrontation that cannot serve the interests of the Syrian people," he said. Earlier this month, Syria’s de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa said the new Syrian army would include the SDF, days after he met with SDF chief Mazloud Abdi to discuss the future of the Kurdish-led force and the status of Rojava. Abdi has expressed readiness for integration of his force into Syria’s new security apparatus if both sides agree on a formula. Early Wednesday Shaibani posted in Kurdish on X for the first time since assuming the position, saying that the Kurds in Syria add “beauty and brilliance” to the country and were mistreated by the previous regime but the new administration is working to preserve the country’s diversity. Elham Ahmad, foreign relations co-chair of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES), commended Shaibani’s remarks, calling them a “place of honor for the Kurds” but also called for “decentralized” Syria. Turkey, US role in negotiations Pedersen said that “Turkey and the United States have a key role to play in supporting” a negotiation between the SDF and Damascus. Turkey has repeatedly expressed that it wants the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the People’s Protection Units (YPG) removed from Syria, labeling them as terrorists. The YPG is the backbone of the SDF, and the PKK has repeatedly said that they have no presence in the country. The SDF is the main ally of the United States-led coalition combating the Islamic State (ISIS) on the ground in Syria. Last week, the US said its partnership with the SDF remains “really strong.” It stated that Washington understands Ankara’s concerns in the area but they want the SDF to focus only on the fight against ISIS. Kurdish forces in northern Syria face intensified attacks from Turkey and Turkish-backed militants, who have seized Tal Rifaat and Manbij since late November, days after the Bashar al-Assad regime was being overthrown. Clashes are particularly fierce near Tishreen Dam and Qere Qozaq bridge.
