Anadolu: Syrian government may cancel Paris talks after Hasakah conference
HASAKAH, Syria (North Press) – The Syrian government is reportedly evaluating the cancellation of upcoming negotiation talks with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) scheduled in Paris, in response to the “Unity of Communities” conference held in Hasakah on August 8.
According to the Turkish Anadolu Agency on Friday evening, Damascus views the conference, which convened various local communities of northeast Syria both in person and through recorded messages from other regions, as a significant escalation affecting ongoing diplomatic efforts.
A Syrian government source described the Hasakah event, officially titled “Unity of Position of the Components of Northeast Syria,” as reflecting a lack of seriousness from the SDF regarding the current negotiation process with the central government. The source also indicated that the government’s options include potentially canceling the planned talks if there is no substantial progress on implementing the March 10 agreement between the parties.
The conference’s agenda notably called for establishing a decentralized state and drafting a constitution guaranteeing ethnic, religious, and cultural pluralism. The government source warned that such initiatives complicate the negotiation trajectory and exacerbate tensions.
The “Unity of Communities” conference underscores the ongoing assertion of local governance structures within the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), which continues to manage civil affairs and security in the region with the support of the US-backed SDF. These local institutions emphasize pluralistic governance models, aligning with the diverse demographic makeup of northeast Syria.
The Syrian government’s possible withdrawal from dialogue in Paris comes amid fragile negotiations that seek to define the political and security arrangements between Damascus and northeast Syria’s
Details on whether the Syrian government will formally cancel the Paris negotiations are pending. Meanwhile, the AANES-affiliated authorities reaffirm their commitment to local governance and peaceful dialogue.