Syrian President Ahmed al-Shar met with Iraqi Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani in Damascus on Monday to discuss regional security and diplomacy [1].
The meeting marks a significant shift in diplomatic relations as the Syrian government seeks to formalize its relationship with Kurdish leadership and integrate paramilitary forces into official state structures.
The leaders gathered at the People's Palace to coordinate security and political efforts [3]. A primary focus of the talks was the integration of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (QSD) into Syrian state institutions [1]. This discussion follows a previous agreement regarding QSD integration reached in January 2024 [4].
Beyond security coordination, the two leaders discussed the opening of a Syrian consulate within the Kurdistan region [1]. Such a move would establish a formal diplomatic presence in the region, though the proposal remains subject to regional diplomatic sensitivities [2].
Reports regarding the meeting differ on the current political status of the Syrian state. Some sources said the visit was the first official meeting following the fall of the previous administration [3]. Other reports focused on the bilateral ties between the two leaders without mentioning a change in government [1].
President Barzani and President al-Shar said the goal of the meeting was to advance bilateral ties and enhance political coordination [1]. The discussions aimed to create a stable framework for security cooperation across the border and within Syrian territory [2].
“The leaders gathered at the People's Palace to coordinate security and political efforts.”
The attempt to integrate the QSD into Syrian state institutions represents a potential move toward a centralized security apparatus, reducing the reliance on autonomous Kurdish-led governance. By pursuing a consulate in the Kurdistan region, the Syrian government is attempting to legitimize its diplomatic reach and stabilize its northern borders through formal institutional ties rather than solely through military presence.
