ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A Syrian defense ministry delegation on Friday headed to northeast Syria (Rojava) to discuss the "procedures for integrating" members of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the military, according to state media.
In a post on X, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) cited the defense ministry's Media and Communication Directorate, reporting that "a [Syrian defense ministry] delegation is en route to the city of Hasaka [in eastern Rojava] to discuss procedures for integrating SDF members into the military."
The Directorate added that the move is part of "the implementation of the provisions of the agreement signed between the Syrian state and the SDF."
The pro-SDF Ronahi TV later reported that the two sides discussed the integration of Kurdish fighters into the Syrian army, as well as “determining the location of SDF brigades” and “the distance of withdrawal of the defense ministry,” adding that negotiations are “still continuing on internal issues.”
In mid-January, the Syrian Arab Army and allied armed groups launched a large-scale offensive aimed at pushing back the SDF, which serves as Rojava’s de facto military force, from areas in northern and northeastern Syria, including parts of Aleppo, Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa, and Hasaka provinces.
These territories were initially liberated from the grip of the Islamic State (ISIS) by the Kurdish-led forces, who also serve as a key on-the-ground partner of the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. The SDF subsequently maintained control to prevent the extremist group’s resurgence.
The SDF and Damascus last week said they reached an internationally brokered agreement, facilitated primarily by France and the United States, to end hostilities and integrate Rojava’s civil and military institutions under state control.
The visit by the Syrian defense ministry delegation to Rojava notably comes a day after French Foreign Minister Jean Noel Barrot visited Damascus on Thursday to “verify the implementation” of the key agreement.
The senior French diplomat had affirmed on Monday that “it is essential that this agreement - which simultaneously preserves the security and political rights of the Syrian Kurds and ensures the security of the prisons in the northeast - is fully implemented. I will be on the ground to verify this with our partners.”
On the first leg of his tour, Barrot visited Damascus and met with his Syrian counterpart, Asaad al-Shaibani. According to SANA, the two officials "discussed matters of common interest and regional developments," explored "ways to strengthen bilateral ties," and "stressed Syria's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity."
The Syrian national news agency further quoted the French foreign minister as "affirming that "the agreement between the Syrian government and the SDF guarantees the basic rights of the Kurds and supports efforts to combat ISIS."
From Syria, Barrot headed to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region where he met with top Iraqi and Kurdish officials.
In the Kurdish capital city Erbil, he notably met with SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi where they discussed ways to implement the ceasefire and integration agreement between the SDF and Damascus, while reaffirming their commitment to the joint fight against ISIS.
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Updated at 7:00 pm
