Talabani backs US-French mediation between SDF, Syrian government
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Bafel Talabani, President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), praised on Tuesday the mediation efforts of the United States and France aimed at fostering dialogue between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian transitional government.
Speaking at the annual conference of the Middle East Research Institute (MERI) in Erbil, Talabani commended the roles of U.S. envoy to Syria Tom Barrack and French mediators for facilitating the ongoing discussions between the two sides.
He urged international actors to continue and strengthen mediation efforts, stressing the importance of “negotiations based on realistic foundations.”
Talabani said that any political settlement should include granting Kurdish-majority areas a form of autonomy—either at the governorate level or through a similar administrative structure—while ensuring recognition and protection of Kurdish language and cultural rights.
He also called for the creation of a security institution acceptable to the Kurdish population and their integration into Syrian intelligence and military structures.
The PUK leader proposed launching a comprehensive Syrian national project, suggesting that Iraq’s federal model, with suitable modifications, could serve as a roadmap for Syria’s future.
Talabani welcomed the recent announcement of a comprehensive ceasefire across northern and northeastern Syria, calling it a “positive and essential step toward stability.” He reaffirmed that the PUK has “no political agenda in Syria beyond supporting the rights of its people.”