Breakthrough in U.S.–SDF relations as integration talks advance
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – A July 19 meeting in Amman between Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Commander-in-Chief Mazloum Abdi and U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack marked a significant improvement in relations, according to a report by al-Monitor published Monday.
Citing four informed sources, al-Monitor reported that the meeting was “markedly better” than their first encounter just ten days earlier in Damascus, describing Barrack’s tone as more conciliatory and cooperative.
Sources revealed that plans are underway for a potential high-level meeting in Paris, which could be attended by French President Emmanuel Macron. The objective would be to publicly announce concrete steps toward integrating the SDF and institutions of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) into the Syrian central government.
A U.S. State Department official confirmed that discussions on the integration of the SDF are “ongoing and active,” adding, “We support the continuation of these discussions as the best way to resolve any outstanding issues.”
According to the sources, the SDF now holds a stronger negotiating position—similar to their leverage in March, when Syrian Transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa faced his first major political crisis since taking power in December. That month, over 1,000 people, primarily Alawite civilians, were killed in the coastal region during retaliatory attacks by Sunni gunmen, following assaults carried out by remnants of the former Assad regime.
“The bloodshed of the past week underscores that Syria cannot be reunified by force,” one source told al-Monitor. “A sustainable solution requires compromise.”
The report concluded by stating that al-Sharaa’s forces, already struggling to contain the Druze, are even less capable of confronting the well-armed and U.S.-trained SDF, reinforcing the need for a political resolution.