Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa met Tuesday, Feb 3, with a delegation from the Kurdish National Council (KNC) at the People’s Palace in Damascus, marking the latest step in a renewed political track following last week’s agreement between the government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
According to a statement from the Syrian Presidency, the meeting focused on the situation of Kurdish citizens and ways to guarantee their rights within the framework of the Syrian state. Sharaa affirmed the state’s commitment to protecting Kurdish rights through constitutional mechanisms that reinforce equal citizenship while preserving cultural and social distinctiveness. The presidency emphasized that these guarantees would be implemented without compromising Syria’s unity and sovereignty.
The KNC welcomed Presidential Decree No. 13 during the meeting, describing it as a meaningful step toward safeguarding Kurdish cultural and social rights. The decree, issued earlier this month, has been presented by Damascus as part of a broader effort to normalize relations with Kurdish political actors after years of conflict and stalled negotiations.
Foreign Minister Reinforces Unity Message
The presidential meeting followed talks a day earlier between Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and a KNC delegation led by Muhammad Ismail. The Foreign Ministry said discussions centered on national issues and reaffirmed Syria’s territorial integrity as a guiding principle. In remarks released by the ministry, Shaibani stressed the rights of Kurdish citizens strengthen the principle of equal citizenship and form an integral part of Syria’s national fabric.
The Kurdish delegation, in turn, reiterated its commitment to continued dialogue with the government and welcomed Decree No. 13 as a positive development. The back-to-back meetings underscored a coordinated effort by Damascus to engage Kurdish political actors as implementation of the Jan. 30 government-SDF agreement moves forward.
Council Rejects Military Confrontation
In a statement published Sunday through its official channels, the KNC described the Jan. 30 agreement with the SDF as an important step requiring responsible and sustained implementation. The council said it hoped the deal would help spare Syria further tension and facilitate the return of displaced residents to their homes.
An informed source told Syria TV that the council has privately warned SDF commander Mazloum Abdi against pursuing military confrontation with Damascus, describing such a course as “catastrophic” for Syrian Kurds. The source said the council conveyed during a meeting in Hasakah province that it would not support armed conflict and urged the SDF to back local, regional and international efforts to ensure the success of the agreement through dialogue.
Implementation in Progress
Foreign Ministry strategic researcher Obaida Ghadban said in comments to Syria TV that implementation of the agreement had proceeded positively on its first day. He added that both sides shared a desire to move forward through confidence-building rather than pressure.
As political talks continue and security arrangements take shape, Kurdish leaders and government officials alike have framed dialogue and constitutional guarantees as the foundation for a more stable relationship in northeastern Syria.
