France, the United States, and Syria agreed on Friday to relaunch talks in Paris aimed at integrating Kurdish-led institutions into the Syrian state. The renewed push follows a stalled March 10 agreement between Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander Mazloum Abdi and Syria’s interim president Ahmad al-Sharaa. A planned meeting was postponed, but French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot spoke with Abdi to confirm a new round was imminent.
The SDF, a U.S.-backed Kurdish-led militia that controls much of northeastern Syria, has clashed with Damascus over its refusal to allow decentralisation and demands for disarmament. Kurdish officials say a new constitution fails to reflect Syria’s diversity. SDF spokesman Farhad Shami called disarmament a “red line,” warning that “no one is surrendering in Syria,” citing recent sectarian bloodshed in Sweida.
Damascus insists on full reunification, calling Kurdish autonomy “unacceptable.” Friday’s joint statement called for national reconciliation, especially in northeastern Syria and Sweida.
