Syrian Foreign Ministry: No Progress on Implementing Agreement with SDF
Syria says no progress on SDF integration deal ahead of Paris talks. Damascus insists on unified leadership as France, US push for March 10 accord implementation. Internal SDF divisions stall political transition despite international backing for Syria's territorial unity.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – A senior official at the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Sunday that no tangible progress has been made in implementing the March 10 agreement between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), casting doubt on the outcome of upcoming talks scheduled to take place in Paris.
Qutaiba Idlbi, head of U.S. affairs at the ministry, confirmed that the Paris meeting—planned between the SDF and Syrian government—was intended to facilitate the integration of SDF units into the Syrian military structure. However, he emphasized that Damascus cannot proceed with the political transition without a unified leadership overseeing the entirety of Syrian territory.
No Movement on the Ground Despite Diplomatic Framework
In remarks to the state-run Al-Ikhbariyah channel, Idlbi said that the Syrian government remains committed to reason and dialogue, but he noted that no real steps had been taken by the SDF to implement the accord. “Despite our readiness to reach a clear solution, the March 10 agreement has yet to see any implementation,” he stated.
He added that the upcoming Paris consultation is part of a broader negotiation process aimed at achieving full integration, and that both the United States and France support the need to maintain Syria’s unity while upholding the transition plan.
France and U.S. Press for Implementation
Idlbi acknowledged that the French government has committed to pressuring the SDF to comply with the agreement, underlining that Paris wants to see a solution shaped by Syrian consensus. “The implementation of the March 10 agreement doesn’t require months—it simply requires genuine political will,” he said.
This follows confirmation from French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot during a recent trilateral meeting in Paris—alongside Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shibani and U.S. Special Envoy Thomas Barrack—that a new round of negotiations with the SDF would be held soon. France reaffirmed its support for a peaceful, inclusive transition that guarantees the rights of the Kurdish population in Northeast Syria.
Internal Divisions Within SDF Impeding Talks
Idlbi asserted that the lack of a unified vision within SDF leadership remains the principal barrier to progress. He reiterated that there is clear backing for the Syrian state’s efforts to restore full territorial control and national cohesion.
He concluded his statement by urging all Syrian parties to act with wisdom and unity, stressing that political reconciliation must be achieved through inclusive dialogue and shared responsibility.
Paris Hosts Renewed Push for Political Transition
The anticipated SDF-government talks in Paris were born out of a landmark trilateral agreement between France, the United States, and Syria. Their joint communiqué emphasized the urgency of launching a sustainable political process, fighting terrorism in all its forms, and achieving national reconciliation across all regions, including Suwayda and Northeast Syria (Western Kurdistan).
While the international community supports the transition, Damascus now stresses that without clear cooperation from the SDF and a unified chain of command, hopes for progress may remain elusive.
