AANES negotiator highlights progress in military, security talks with Damascus
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Sanharib Barsoum, member of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) Negotiation Committee with Damascus, said on Thursday that advancements in military and security files could pave the way for broader agreements on other issues.
Speaking to North Press on the sidelines of a dialogue session organized by the PEL-Civil Waves organization in Qamishli, northeastern Syria, Barsoum noted that following the March 10 agreement, several negotiation sessions were held. “However, negotiations later experienced a general stagnation. We are now witnessing a revival, with subcommittees beginning their sessions.”
Barsoum, who also serves as co-chair of the Syriac Union Party, emphasized that “The AANES, SDF, and the Negotiation Committee pursue solutions through dialogue and negotiation as our strategic approach. We always prioritize dialogue over any path that could lead to instability and conflict.”
He added that security and military committees have already commenced their work, alongside the preparation of other files handled by specialized subcommittees.
“The success of the security and military committees,” he noted, “will pave the way for other committees to reach agreements regarding integration.”
Regarding force integration, Barsoum explained that “Initially, each side had its own view on integrating the SDF into the Ministry of Defense. Now, a general framework has been agreed upon, outlining the integration process.”
He elaborated that the framework envisions the formation of military divisions in northeastern Syria, affiliated with the Ministry of Defense, while ensuring AANES representation within the Ministry and its leadership positions.
Barsoum concluded by stressing that “Discussions and preparations are currently underway to finalize the details of this agreed-upon framework.”
On Oct. 13, a military delegation from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) arrived in Damascus to discuss the mechanism for integrating SDF units into the Syrian army, marking the first formal meeting stemming from the March 10 agreement between SDF Commander-in-Chief Mazloum Abdi and Syrian Transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa, .
In an interview with AFP, Abdi said that a “preliminary agreement” has been reached with Damascus to integrate SDF fighters and security forces into Syria’s defense and interior ministries.
The March 10 agreement aimed at laying the foundations for a political settlement between Northeast Syria and Syrian transitional authorities. The agreement included provisions for security coordination, decentralization, and guarantees for the political and cultural rights of communities in northeastern Syria.