KDP Leader Masoud Barzani (right) and SDF Commander General Mazloum Abdi (left)
'Significant achievement'
KDP President Masoud Barzani, SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi meet in Erbil
ERBIL — Masoud Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, met in Erbil with Syrian Democratic Forces Commander Mazloum Abdi to strengthen Kurdish unity and discuss strategies under Syria’s new leadership, according to party officials.
Hoshyar Zebari, a member of the KDP Political Bureau, described the gathering as “a significant achievement to strengthen Kurdish unity and position vis-à-vis the new Syrian rulers in Damascus for a smooth political transition.” Zebari, posting on X, formerly Twitter, thanked “all our allies & friends,” suggesting U.S. involvement in coordinating the visit. Neither Barzani’s office nor Abdi’s has issued a statement on the meeting.
In northeastern Syria, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria governs largely Kurdish-populated areas. The SDF — primarily led by the People’s Protection Units and backed by the United States — maintains control over the region. The Kurdish National Council in Syria, an umbrella group of Kurdish parties with close ties to the KDP, has longstanding disputes with the Democratic Union Party, the dominant faction within the AANES. Both Syrian Kurdish groups face pressure to reconcile differences and form a unified stance as Syria’s political future remains uncertain following the collapse of the Assad regime.
Efforts to unify various Kurdish factions have intensified, aiming to ensure cohesive representation in talks with new Syrian authorities. On Jan. 13, 2025, Barzani’s representative, Dr. Hamid Darbandi, visited North and East Syria to meet with Abdi. According to the Hawar News Agency, Darbandi relayed Barzani’s appeal for unity in confronting ongoing challenges, while Abdi underscored the need for collective engagement to safeguard stability and protect Kurdish interests.