Kurdistan Region president, SDF chief address IS threat, Syria talks

NEWSROOM — Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani met Sunday with Mazloum Abdi, commander-in-chief of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference to discuss developments in Syria and the region, according to a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency.

The presidency said the meeting addressed the latest political and security developments in Syria and the region, as well as the situation of Kurds and other components in Syria.

Barzani stressed “the importance of continuing dialogue to reach political solutions to the issues in Syria, in a way that guarantees the rights of Kurds and all components.”

According to the statement, SDF commander Abdi expressed his thanks and appreciation to Kurdistan Democratic Party leader Masoud Barzani and the Presidency of the Kurdistan Region for “their continued efforts and influential role in calming the situation and reaching a ceasefire agreement between Damascus and the SDF.”

The risks of Islamic State resurgence and terrorist threats were also discussed during the meeting, the statement said.

Syria’s government and the SDF reached a broad agreement in late January to gradually integrate Kurdish military and civil institutions into the state after weeks of clashes ended in a ceasefire.

The deal followed assaults by the Syrian Islamist regime and allied militias that forced Kurdish forces to withdraw into Kurdish-majority zones. Under the agreement, three army brigades are to be formed from SDF units, with a separate brigade for Kobani.

During his participation in the Munich Security Conference, Mazloum Abdi held several meetings. Abdi, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria foreign relations co-chair Ilham Ahmed met Friday with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Mazloum Abdi also met with French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the conference. In a post on X on Friday, Abdi said “We highly value this active role and commend France’s steadfast position in supporting stability and combating terrorism,” Abdi wrote. “We look forward to the continuation of France’s positive role at this pivotal stage, in support of our efforts and our people to safeguard the region and preserve stability across all Syria’s territory.”