Syria withdraws from negotiations with SDF, asserting violation of the March 10 accord
The ongoing negotiations between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) remain active but stalled following the SDF-organized conference in Hasakah province. Dialogue continues primarily through French- and U.S.-mediated talks in Paris, despite Damascus publicly rejecting these talks as a violation of Syrian sovereignty and demanding that negotiations relocate to Damascus as the "legitimate venue for national dialogue."
Key points on the current status include:
- The SDF-government talks in Paris are ongoing but tense. France confirms that no formal withdrawal by Syria has been received, so channels remain open, with Paris aiming for constructive dialogue. However, Damascus insists on relocating discussions to Syria and accuses the SDF of reviving division and violating integration agreements, particularly after the "Unity of Components" conference in Hasakah.
- The Syrian government rejects the Hasakah conference as unrepresentative and a breach of existing integration agreements with the SDF. Syrian officials view it as an attempt to exploit unrest elsewhere (e.g., Suwayda) to divide Syria along sectarian or ideological lines.
- Turkey significantly influences the dynamics, pressing the Syrian government to increase military and political pressure on the Kurdish-dominated SDF to fully integrate or face escalation. Turkey is increasingly disillusioned with integration talks and is reportedly prepared to support a limited Syrian military operation against the SDF, which itself faces growing threats from local Sunni Arab tribes mobilizing against it.
- The Syrian government aims to restore control over all of Syria, including SDF-held northeast, motivated both by sovereignty claims and regional strategic concerns. Damascus emphasizes constitutional national unity and a referendum-based state structure, rejecting factional or externally arranged agreements.
- The United States and France remain engaged as mediators, trying to bridge positions, considering SDF integration into the Syrian army vital for regional stability and counterterrorism. However, the external influence of Turkey and Syria’s hardline stance complicate progress.
In sum, negotiations continue but are facing serious political and military obstacles, with stalled progress after the Hasakah conference, Syrian government demands for talks in Damascus, and heightened Turkish-backed pressures increasing risks of escalation against the SDF.
Notably, the Syrian government will not attend the next round of negotiations with the SDF and did not attend the recently-organized conference by the SDF in the country's northeast. The Syrian government official calls the conference "contrary to national unity" and a violation of the March 10 Agreement. The hosting of separatist figures at the conference is also viewed as a clear breach of the agreement.
The Syrian government official urges the SDF to take the March 10 Agreement seriously and emphasizes that constitutional changes can only be decided through a permanent constitution and a nationwide referendum involving all Syrians. The legitimate address for talks, according to the official, is Damascus, not any regional or foreign venue.
Developments in the northeast, according to the official, do not represent the national will of all Syrians. Earlier, another government source mentioned that all options, including canceling the Paris meeting, were on the table. The Foreign Ministry had previously announced that follow-up talks to implement the March 10 Agreement would be held in Paris "as soon as possible." Attendees at the SDF conference included Druze leader Hikmat al-Hejri from Sweida, Alawite Supreme Council head Ghazal Ghazaa, and pro-SDF Kurdish religious figure Murshid Mashuq Haznawi.
- The ongoing negotiations between Turkey and the Syrian government regarding Syria's Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have become tense, as Turkey pressures the Syrian government to increase military and political pressure on the SDF.
- The Syrian government, in response to the SDF-organized conference in Hasakah province, views it as a breach of existing integration agreements and an attempt to divide Syria along sectarian or ideological lines.
- The Syrian government officially urges the SDF to take the March 10 Agreement seriously and emphasizes that constitutional changes can only be decided through a permanent constitution and a nationwide referendum involving all Syrians.
- The Syrian government insists that the legitimate venue for national dialogue, including negotiations with the SDF, is Damascus and not any regional or foreign venue.
