Deal needed before U.S. withdrawal as SDF–Damascus talks stall – PYD leader
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – A prominent Kurdish leader said on Friday that all talks between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian transitional government have been halted without explanation, accusing the Syrian side of creating a false impression of progress ahead of President Ahmad al-Sharaa’s meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington.
In an interview with Al-Monitor, Aldar Khalil, a senior member of the Executive Council of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), added that prior to al-Sharaa’s visit, Damascus had verbally agreed to several key arrangements, including forming an SDF military division, integrating the Internal Security Forces (Asayish) into the Interior Ministry, and appointing a Kurdish chief of general staff.
“We submitted more than 70 names, but Damascus has not responded since,” he said, adding that Syrian officials refused to sign any document confirming what they had pledged.
He stressed that a binding agreement must be reached while U.S. forces remain in the region. “Barrack is the only one who knows when the talks will resume. We are ready to sit for days until we finalize an agreement, but we need a meeting,” he said.
Khalil accused Damascus of exerting pressure on the AANES-run areas by closing major roads, Qamishli Airport, and government service offices, including those issuing identity cards — steps he described as an attempt to “push us out of Syria.”
He also denied claims that Turkey-backed factions were acting independently, saying ongoing tensions in Raqqa and Deir Hafer, east of Aleppo, aim to portray the AANES regions as unstable.
The Kurdish leader indicated that neither tribal unrest nor attempts by Damascus and Ankara to provoke Arab tribes had succeeded.
He pointed out that developments in peace talks between Turkey and Abdullah Ocalan will directly shape the future of negotiations in Syria. “What happens in Turkey will determine what happens here,” he stated.