‘Serious danger to stability’: Barzani urges dialogue over Syria conflict

ERBIL — Kurdistan Democratic Party leader Masoud Barzani on Tuesday expressed deep concern over military assaults by the Syrian government and affiliated groups targeting Kurds in Rojava, calling for calm, responsibility, and international intervention.

“We are closely monitoring the latest developments and incidents in Syria and Rojava with great concern,” Barzani said in a statement. “In this sensitive situation, all sides must act responsibly and avoid emotional reactions that could bring harm to our sisters and brothers in Rojava, which is absolutely unacceptable.”

Barzani said the he remains committed to efforts to prevent “disaster and tragedy” from affecting Kurds in the area. He warned that the current instability has created conditions that could allow the Islamic State to regroup.

“In such a complicated situation, the threat of an ISIS resurgence and terrorism is a very serious danger to the region’s stability and security,” Barzani said.

He urged the international community and coalition forces to “act responsibly, stop the tensions, war and conflicts,” urging to find “peaceful solutions through dialogue.”

The statement comes amid a renewed military offensive by the Syrian government in northeastern Syria and Rojava, which has displaced civilians and raised concerns over ethnic targeting and demographic change.

Kurdish leaders have warned that the renewed offensive has displaced civilians and fueled fears of demographic change and ethnic targeting in Kurdish-majority areas.

Earlier in day, Patriotic Union of Kurdistan leader Bafel Talabani condemned the offensive, calling the attacks “unacceptable” and urging international action to protect civilians.

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, long backed by the U.S.-led coalition and central to the campaign that dismantled the Islamic State’s territorial control in 2019, have faced mounting pressure amid renewed fighting and the unraveling of a ceasefire and integration agreement with Syria’s transitional government shortly after it was announced.

A new ceasefire agreement between the Syrian government and the SDF has announced on Tuesday evening as part of efforts to end fighting and redefine the relationship between Damascus and the Kurdish forces.