Situation in northeastern Syria remains stagnant
Date
1/29/2025 7:03:37 AM
(MENAFN) Despite ongoing negotiations between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Damascus administration, the situation in northeastern Syria remains stagnant, with no breakthrough reached in resolving their differing positions on the country's future. The talks have been marked by contrasting visions, particularly regarding governance and military control. On the military front, fighting continues between the SDF and the Syrian National army factions, part of the Freedom Operations Room, near the Tishreen Dam in eastern Aleppo. The SDF, backed by limited Turkish air support, seeks to advance toward Raqqa's countryside.
Sources close to the Damascus administration have revealed an offer to the SDF to resolve the northeastern Syria conflict. This proposal includes recognizing Kurdish cultural rights, incorporating them into the new constitution, and allowing Kurds to join security and military institutions. However, it emphasizes that the administration will remain decentralized, with local councils managing provincial affairs. The SDF, however, rejected the proposal, insisting on joining the army as a unified force and maintaining control over its current military zones. In return, the SDF has demanded a share of the region's oil fields and wells. The SDF justifies its position by citing the threat of a Turkish invasion and the lack of integration of National Army factions into Syria's Ministry of Defense, seeing the National Army's actions as part of a Turkish-led military campaign in northeastern Syria.
Damascus has rejected the idea of allowing military blocs within the army and does not wish to use oil fields as a political bargaining chip. Meanwhile, SDF sources confirmed that meetings between SDF leader Mazloum Abdi and Damascus representative Ahmed Al-Sharaa will resume, though no exact date has been set. In early January, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) leader Masrour Barzani visited Ankara to discuss mediation efforts, and later sent a representative to Qamishli to facilitate a visit by Abdi to Erbil. Barzani pushed for a unified Kurdish position in Syria, urging Abdi to negotiate with the Kurdish National Council in preparation for political participation, without insisting on autonomy to avoid further Turkish military action. Abdi requested Barzani’s help to halt military operations, particularly in the Tishreen Dam area, as a first step toward dialogue. Erbil is open to hosting talks between northeastern Syria and Damascus, but Damascus appears reluctant, fearing it would imply political equality with the SDF, which it seeks to avoid.
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