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A high-level delegation from the Syrian Democratic Forces arrives in Damascus to discuss cooperation with the Syrian government
A senior delegation from the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Autonomous Administration has arrived in the Syrian capital, Damascus, headed by the Commander-in-Chief of the SDF, Mazloum Abdi, to meet with Syrian officials. The delegation is expected to meet with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad in a US-sponsored meeting, with the participation of the US Special Envoy to Syria, Thomas Barrack, and the US Central Command Commander, Admiral Brad Cooper.
In addition to Mazloum Abdi, the delegation includes Jiyan Tolhah, the leader of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), and Ilham Ahmad, Co-chair of the External Relations Office of the Autonomous Administration. This visit comes amid cautious calm in Aleppo after the announcement of a ceasefire agreement following escalations between Syrian government forces and Internal Security Forces (Asayish) in the Kurdish neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafiyah, controlled by Rojava administration.
The clashes that broke out yesterday, Monday, resulted in the deaths of two people before a ceasefire was announced early Tuesday. The Syrian official channel reported that the escalation in the neighborhoods led to the killing of a security forces member and a civilian. The Syrian government forces have controlled Aleppo since opposition factions overthrew President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, but the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafiyah are still under the control of local security forces despite the SDF’s withdrawal from them last April under an agreement with Damascus.
The Syrian Democratic Forces confirmed that they did not launch any attacks on government security forces, clarifying that the escalation resulted from provocations by factions of the Interim Government and attempts at infiltration. They emphasized that civilians are defending themselves alongside internal security forces. Meanwhile, Asayish reported defending against an attack carried out by government forces on the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafiyah.
In a different context, Mazloum Abdi, during his visit to Damascus, met with US Envoy Thomas Barrack and the US Central Command Commander to discuss accelerating the implementation of the March 10 agreement, participating in efforts to lift sanctions, creating a safe environment for investment, and facilitating the return of internally displaced persons. Both parties affirmed their continued partnership with the international coalition, promoting stability and security, and maintaining the territorial integrity of Syria.
