France to Host New Syria–SDF Talks in Paris, Reaffirms Support for Kurdish Rights
France confirms to SDF Gen. Abdi that Paris will host US-backed talks with Syrian authorities to implement a new agreement, accelerate a peaceful political transition, and guarantee Kurdish rights.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – France’s top diplomat has personally confirmed to the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, General Mazloum Abdi, that a new round of negotiations with Syrian transitional authorities will soon take place in Paris, a move backed by the United States and aimed at implementing a recent agreement and guaranteeing the rights of the Kurds. The direct communication signals a significant diplomatic push to integrate Northeast Syria into a negotiated political solution for the country.
In a formal statement released on Friday, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs detailed the high-level exchange, which followed the minister’s discussions with both his Syrian counterpart and the U.S. Special Envoy for Syria.
"This exchange was an opportunity to confirm that a session of negotiations between the Syrian transitional authorities and the Syrian Democratic Forces will be held soon in Paris, with a view to implementing the March 10 agreement," the statement read. The French minister also "reiterated France's support for defining a negotiated and peaceful solution for the unification of Syria, integrating the population of Northeast Syria into the political transition process, and guaranteeing the rights of the Kurds.”
This development is the direct outcome of a landmark trilateral meeting held in Paris, which brought together Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shibani, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, and U.S. Special Envoy to Syria and Ambassador to Türkiye Thomas Barrack. The meeting resulted in a joint statement from the Syrian Arab Republic, France, and the United States, reaffirming a shared commitment to a political transition.
The trilateral discussions were described as “frank and constructive,” occurring at what all participants acknowledged as a “critical juncture for Syria.” Their joint communiqué underscored the importance of advancing collaborative frameworks to achieve a sustainable political path.
In a spirit of mutual engagement, the three parties agreed on several urgent needs. These include accelerating "meaningful efforts to ensure a successful political transition in Syria that safeguards the country’s unity, stability, and full sovereignty," and maintaining joint cooperation to combat terrorism. The agreement also outlined support for the Syrian government’s leadership in a transition process aimed at national reconciliation, with a specific focus on Northeast Syria and Suwayda province.
Crucially, the trilateral statement explicitly called to "convene a new round of consultations between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Paris as soon as possible, to fully implement the terms of the March 10 agreement."
The agreement further committed the parties to upholding accountability for acts of violence and ensuring that neighboring countries do not pose a threat to Syria’s stability, and vice versa. The joint communiqué concluded with a shared emphasis on continued diplomatic and security coordination to support Syria's transition while ensuring justice for victims and enhancing regional security.
