Latest news with #KurdishAdministration
The National
4 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Paris to host Syria talks on integrating Kurds
Syria, France and the US said they agreed on Friday to convene "as soon as possible" talks in Paris to integrate the autonomous Kurdish administration into the Syrian state. The Kurds, who control large swathes of north-east Syria, are negotiating with the central government in Damascus on the integration of their civil and military institutions into the state. Those include the US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The three countries agreed to 'host as soon as possible the next round of consultations in Paris between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces regarding the full implementation of the March 10 agreement ', according to a joint statement. The statement was issued after a Friday meeting in Paris between French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, US special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani. In March, Syria 's government reached a deal with the SDF to integrate the group into state institutions. The deal was signed between Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara and the head of the SDF, Mazloum Abdi. Damascus had previously accused the SDF of delays in implementing a March deal to integrate into the country's armed forces, warning that inaction would undermine stability. Several rounds of talks have been held but the process has stalled, with Kurdish officials criticising a constitutional declaration announced by the new authorities, saying it failed to reflect Syria's diversity. A meeting was set to take place in Paris on Thursday between Kurdish representatives and a Syrian government delegation, but it was postponed. Mr Barrot held a phone call on Friday with the Mr Abdi, Paris said, to "confirm the upcoming negotiations session". Damascus insists on reunifying the country at any cost and demands that the Kurds hand over their weapons. But this week, the SDF said it is 'impossible' to lay down their arms amid a flurry of sectarian violence in the country. An outbreak of fierce fighting in the south of Syria, with troops sent to quell unrest involving Bedouin tribes and the Druze minority, has cast further doubt on Mr Al Shara's efforts to hold Syria together. And under pressure from Washington, Syria has mounted raids against members of ISIS as the extremist group threatens to stage a resurgence. 'In light of the continuing tensions in Syria, the escalating violence, and the threat of ISIS, it is impossible for our forces to surrender their weapons,' Kurdish media quoted SDF spokesman Abjar Daoud as saying.
Asharq Al-Awsat
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Syrian Govt Visits Notorious Al-Hol Camp for First Time Since Kurds Deal
A Syrian government delegation visited a notorious camp in the Kurdish-administered northeast that hosts families of suspected ISIS group members, the new authorities' first visit, both sides said Saturday. Kurdish-run camps and prisons in the northeast hold tens of thousands of people, many with alleged or perceived links to ISIS, more than five years after the group's territorial defeat in Syria. Kurdish administration official Sheikhmous Ahmed said "a tripartite meeting was held on Saturday in the Al-Hol camp" that included a government delegation, another from the US-led international coalition fighting ISIS, and Kurdish administration members. Al-Hol is northeast Syria's largest camp, housing some 37,000 people from dozens of countries, including 14,500 Iraqis, in dire conditions. Discussions involved "establishing a mechanism for removing Syrian families from Al-Hol camp", Ahmed said. The visit comes more than two months after interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Mazloum Abdi, head of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, agreed to integrate the Kurds' civil and military institutions into the national government. The deal also involved guaranteeing the return of all Syrians to their hometowns and villages. No progress has yet been reported on the administration's integration into the new government. In Damascus, interior ministry spokesperson Noureddine al-Baba told reporters Al-Hol is "part of the agreement" signed by Sharaa and Abdi. He said the issue requires "a comprehensive societal solution for the families who are victims" of ISIS. In February, the Kurdish administration said that in coordination with the United Nations, it aimed to empty camps in the northeast of thousands of displaced Syrians and Iraqi refugees, including suspected relatives of extremists, by the end of the year. Al-Hol includes a high-security section for families of foreign ISIS fighters. Ahmed said the fate of those families "is linked to the countries that have nationals (in the camp), and to the international coalition", which supported Kurdish-led forces who fought ISIS, detaining its fighters and their relatives. The Kurds have repeatedly called on countries to repatriate their citizens, but foreign governments have allowed home only a trickle, fearing security threats and a domestic political backlash. It is unclear who will administer prisons holding thousands of ISIS fighters in the northeast, with Abdi saying in February the new authorities wanted them under Damascus's control.
Al Arabiya
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Syrian government visits notorious camp for first time since Kurds deal
A Syrian government delegation visited a notorious camp in the Kurdish-administered northeast that hosts families of suspected ISIS group extremists, the new authorities' first visit, both sides said Saturday. Kurdish-run camps and prisons in the northeast hold tens of thousands of people, many with alleged or perceived links to the ISIS group, more than five years after ISIS's territorial defeat in Syria. Kurdish administration official Sheikhmous Ahmed said 'a tripartite meeting was held on Saturday in the Al-Hol camp' that included a government delegation, another from the US-led international coalition fighting ISIS, and Kurdish administration members. Al-Hol is northeast Syria's largest camp, housing some 37,000 people from dozens of countries, including 14,500 Iraqis, in dire conditions. Discussions involved 'establishing a mechanism for removing Syrian families from Al-Hol camp,' Ahmed said. The visit comes more than two months after President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Mazloum Abdi, head of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, agreed to integrate the Kurds' civil and military institutions into the national government. The deal also involved guaranteeing the return of all Syrians to their hometowns and villages. No progress has yet been reported on the administration's integration into the new government. In Damascus, interior ministry spokesperson Noureddine al-Baba told reporters Al-Hol is 'part of the agreement' signed by al-Sharaa and Abdi. He said the issue requires 'a comprehensive societal solution for the families who are victims' of ISIS. In February, the Kurdish administration said that in coordination with the United Nations, it aimed to empty camps in the northeast of thousands of displaced Syrians and Iraqi refugees, including suspected relatives of extremists, by the end of the year. Al-Hol includes a high-security section for families of foreign ISIS fighters. Ahmed said the fate of those families 'is linked to the countries that have nationals (in the camp), and to the international coalition,' which supported Kurdish-led forces who fought ISIS, detaining its fighters and their relatives. The Kurds have repeatedly called on countries to repatriate their citizens, but foreign governments have allowed home only a trickle, fearing security threats and a domestic political backlash. It is unclear who will administer prisons holding thousands of ISIS fighters in the northeast, with Abdi saying in February the new authorities wanted them under Damascus's control.
South China Morning Post
24-05-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Syrian govt, Kurdish officials visit notorious prison camp
A Syrian government delegation visited a notorious camp in the Kurdish-administered northeast that hosts families of suspected Islamic State group jihadists, the new authorities' first visit, both sides said Saturday. Advertisement Kurdish-run camps and prisons in the northeast hold tens of thousands of people, many with alleged or perceived links to Isis, more than five years after Isis's territorial defeat in Syria. Kurdish administration official Sheikhmous Ahmed said 'a tripartite meeting was held on Saturday in the Al-Hol camp' that included a government delegation, another from the US-led international coalition fighting IS, and Kurdish administration members. Al-Hol is northeast Syria's largest camp, housing some 37,000 people from dozens of countries, including 14,500 Iraqis, in dire conditions. Discussions involved 'establishing a mechanism for removing Syrian families from Al-Hol camp', Ahmed said. Advertisement The visit comes more than two months after interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Mazloum Abdi, head of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, agreed to integrate the Kurds' civil and military institutions into the national government. The deal also involved guaranteeing the return of all Syrians to their hometowns and villages.
