US expresses readiness to facilitate ‘constructive engagement’ between Syrian government, SDF

ISTANBUL

The United States said Saturday it is ready to help facilitate “constructive engagement” between the Syrian government and the terrorist organization YPG/SDF amid escalating tensions in the northern city of Aleppo.

US envoy to Syria Tom Barrack said on the social media company X that he met in Damascus with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, and members of their team “to discuss recent developments in Aleppo and the broader path forward for Syria’s historic transition.”

Barrack said the meeting was held on behalf of US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

He said Trump views the current moment as “a pivotal opportunity for a new, unified Syria” in which all communities – including Arabs, Kurds, Druze, Christians, Alawites, Turkmen and Assyrians – “are treated with respect and dignity and afforded meaningful participation in governance and security institutions.”

The US welcomes Syria’s transition and supports the Syrian government under Sharaa as it works to stabilize the country, rebuild national institutions and meet Syrians’ aspirations for peace, security and prosperity, he added.

The statement reaffirmed US support for efforts to defeat the ISIS (Daesh) terror group, including through Operation Inherent Resolve, and Washington’s partnership with the SDF.

“The Syrian government has reaffirmed its commitment to the March 2025 integration agreement with the SDF, which provides a framework for incorporating SDF forces into national institutions in a manner that preserves Kurdish rights and strengthens Syria’s unity and sovereignty,” he said.

Barrack said recent developments in Aleppo that appear to challenge the terms of that agreement are “deeply concerning,” urging all parties to exercise maximum restraint, immediately cease hostilities and return to dialogue in accordance with the March 10 and April 1, 2025 agreements between the Syrian government and the SDF.

“Violence risks undermining the progress achieved since the fall of the Assad regime and invites external interference that serves no party’s interests,” he said.

The envoy said Secretary Rubio’s team stands ready “to facilitate constructive engagement” between the Syrian government and the SDF to advance an inclusive, responsible integration process “that respects Syria’s unity, upholds the principle of a single sovereign state, and supports the goal of one legitimate national military.”

The statement concluded with a call on Syria’s neighbors and the international community “to support this vision and to provide the cooperation and assistance necessary to help make it a reality.”

Since Tuesday, the SDF has shelled residential neighborhoods, civilian facilities, and Syrian Army positions in Aleppo. The attacks have killed 23 people and wounded over 100 others, and triggered the displacement of about 165,000 residents from Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud districts.

In March 2025, the Syrian presidency announced the signing of an agreement for the SDF’s integration into state institutions, reaffirming the country's territorial unity and rejecting any attempts at division.

In April 2025, Syrian authorities signed an agreement with the SDF concerning the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods, stipulating that both districts would be considered administrative parts of the city of Aleppo while respecting their local particularities.

The agreement also included provisions to ban armed manifestations, restrict weapons to internal security forces, and require the withdrawal of SDF military forces to areas east of the Euphrates River in northeastern Syria.

But authorities said that in the months since the SDF has not shown any efforts to meet the terms of the agreements.

The Syrian government has intensified efforts to maintain security across the country since the ouster of the Assad regime in December 2024, after 24 years in power.