US Hails Meeting between Masoud Barzani-and Mazloum Abdi

The coordination between the KDP and SDF leaders has been welcomed not only by the US, but among Kurds and Syrians more broadly.

The State Department seal is seen on the briefing room lectern at the State Department in Washington, Jan. 31, 2022. (Photo: AP)
The State Department seal is seen on the briefing room lectern at the State Department in Washington, Jan. 31, 2022. (Photo: AP)

Jan 20, 2025

WASHINGTON DC, United States (Kurdistan 24) The U.S. State Department expressed its warm appreciation of the recent meeting, held on Thursday, between Masoud Barzani and Mazloum Abdi.

Read More: Mazloum Abdi expresses optimism about Kurdish unity following meeting with President Masoud Barzani

“The United States welcomed the January 16 meeting between Kurdistan Democratic Party [KDP] President Masoud Barzani and Syrian Democratic Forces [SDF] Commander General Mazloum Abdi,” the State Department’s Office of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA) tweeted on Sunday.

“The State Department’s Intra-Kurdish dialogue can play a critical role in bolstering an inclusive political transition in Syria,” the tweet added. 

Indeed, on Wednesday, Victoria Taylor, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs, was in Erbil. Her schedule included a meeting with Masoud Barzani, in which she praised his efforts to unite Kurds within Syria.

Read More: US DAS Victoria Taylor Praises President Masoud Barzani’s Efforts to Unite Kurds in Syria

That meeting followed the dispatch of Barzani’s envoy, Dr. Hamid Darbandi, to Syria, where he met on Monday with Abdi, leading, then, to Abdi’s visit to Erbil and his meeting with Barzani three days later.

Read More: President Barzani's Envoy Meets SDF Commander in Syria to Discuss Kurdish Unity

The coordination between the KDP and SDF leaders has been welcomed more broadly among Kurds. 

Read More: Kurdish politicians applaud historic meeting between President Masoud Barzani and Mazloum Abdi

It has also been welcomed by Arab elements within Syria, because of Barzani’s stress on the importance of tolerance and working harmoniously with all peoples living in predominantly Kurdish areas.