Paris Meeting Between SDF and Syrian Interim Government Delegations Postponed
Paris talks between SDF and Damascus postponed indefinitely. While diplomatic delays persist, the SDF maintains its red lines—no forced integration without constitutional guarantees for northeast Syria's security framework.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) –A highly anticipated meeting between representatives of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian interim government in Paris has been officially postponed, according to a statement made by the Autonomous Administration's representative in France, Karim Qamar.
Qamar told local media that the meeting—originally planned under the joint auspices of the French and U.S. governments—has been delayed, with no new date provided and no reasons disclosed for the deferment.
Delegation Yet to Arrive in Paris
“The meeting scheduled between representatives of North and East Syria and officials from the Syrian interim government has been postponed,” Qamar confirmed, adding that the delegation from the Autonomous Administration had not yet arrived in France. He also noted that no formal agenda has been established for potential meetings with French officials.
Planned Meeting Details
Prior to the postponement, media reports indicated that General Commander of the SDF, Mazloum Abdi, was due to meet with a Syrian government delegation led by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani. The talks were expected to include U.S. Special Envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack and French officials, under direct sponsorship from French President Emmanuel Macron. The goal of the meeting was to explore frameworks for integrating the SDF and its institutions into Syria’s national defense structure.
Accompanying Abdi were senior officials including Ilham Ahmed, Co-chair of the Department of Foreign Relations for the Autonomous Administration, in what would have marked a pivotal round of negotiations.
SDF Reiterates Refusal to Disarm
In the lead-up to the now-postponed talks, SDF Media Center Director Farhad Shami made clear the group's stance. “Disarmament is a red line. We are not bargaining over our principles,” Shami declared during a televised interview, underscoring that the SDF seeks to engage Damascus as an equal partner, not as a subordinate.
Shami added that U.S. envoy Thomas Barrack had also requested the SDF’s cooperation in resolving the crisis in Suwayda and hinted at an escalation of anti-ISIS operations, potentially expanding into areas outside the current SDF sphere of control in coordination with the international coalition.
SDF Spokesperson Rejects Imposed Timelines
SDF military spokesperson Abgar Dawood refuted media claims of a 30-day deadline for integration into the Syrian army. In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Dawood reaffirmed that the SDF will not surrender its arms amid heightened violence in southern Syria and rising ISIS threats. He reiterated the group's openness to joining the Syrian military under a constitutional framework that acknowledges the unique structure of the SDF.
“We can join the Syrian army via a legal framework that recognizes our distinct identity, with our forces operating as a unified military bloc in their current areas of control,” he said.
Dialogue to Continue
Despite the postponement, Dawood characterized the recent meeting between Mazloum Abdi and U.S. envoy Barrack as positive, with future discussions planned to address remaining points of contention. He emphasized that the SDF has maintained operational coordination with the Syrian government since the fall of the previous regime and has avoided conflict with other military factions in recent months.
“We are not seeking war with anyone, but we will defend our people wherever they are,” he said.
No Disarmament Under al-Sharaa Agreement
Abdi has previously affirmed that under the March 10 agreement with interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, disarmament is not required. In an interview with a German newspaper earlier this month, he confirmed the SDF's full commitment to the accord, saying: “We believe implementing the agreement will make the SDF a part of the Syrian army. Therefore, disarmament now or in the future is unnecessary, as the responsibility for protecting northeast Syria will fall to the Syrian army.”
Although the Paris meeting has been postponed, its eventual rescheduling may prove pivotal for shaping the future security and political landscape in Syria—especially concerning the formal integration of the SDF into state institutions.
Updated on Thursday, 11:39 AM.
