Barzani Praises Al-Sharaa’s Inclusive Vision in Turkey’s Antalya Meeting
By Kardo Roj
ANTALYA, Turkey (North Press) – President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Nechirvan Barzani, met on Friday with Syrian Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, expressing strong support for al-Sharaa’s inclusive vision for Syria and their shared commitment to combating terrorism.
Barzani, in a statement published on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, said he was “pleased” to meet with President al-Sharaa and commended his approach toward building a future Syria “that embraces all its people.”
The meeting between the two leaders, who both play key roles in efforts to stabilize their respective regions, also emphasized continued coordination in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS), which remains an active threat in border areas and insurgent cells across eastern Syria and Iraq.
The photo released from the meeting, showing both presidents shaking hands, underscores a moment of diplomatic symbolism. It comes as regional actors recalibrate their positions toward Syria’s ongoing transitional period, which has seen increased international engagement with the interim government led by al-Sharaa.
Barzani’s message included clear praise for al-Sharaa’s leadership, noting his “dedication to regional peace and security,” a tone that may signal the Kurdistan Region’s readiness to support broader regional cooperation that includes stakeholders in Syria’s evolving political framework.
Although no official readout of the meeting has been released, the public statements indicate a desire for mutual support in maintaining regional stability, especially in areas where ISIS activity has resurged sporadically in recent months.
While not mentioned explicitly in Barzani’s post, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) remain crucial actors in the region’s counterterrorism landscape. With extensive coordination between the SDF and the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, northeast Syria continues to play a pivotal role in ensuring that extremist networks do not regain a foothold.
President al-Sharaa’s expressed commitment to “embracing all Syrians” aligns with long-standing calls from northeastern officials for recognition of pluralistic governance models that include local representation from diverse ethnic and religious communities.
Barzani’s support may also reflect shared interests between the Kurdistan Region and northeast Syria in preserving stability and resisting pressures from regional actors who seek to reshape the political map through force or exclusion.
The Antalya Diplomacy Forum, which draws participation from regional and international leaders, has become a platform for side meetings that carry significant political weight. The al-Sharaa-Barzani encounter adds to a series of high-level discussions at the forum that illustrate growing recognition of Syria’s transitional leadership among neighboring states.
With President al-Sharaa’s second visit to Turkey and his first formal engagements at such a venue, the evolving diplomacy signals a potential shift in how Syria’s transition is being approached—placing emphasis on inclusive governance and anti-terror cooperation.