SDF leader meets Syrian president and US envoy in Damascus amid doubts over integration agreement

Mazloum Abdi, leader of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is meeting President Ahmed Al-Sharaa to advance a March agreement on Kurdish rights and military integration. Brokered by US envoy Tom Barrack, the talks aim to unify Syria’s factions by addressing border control, water disputes, and disarmament of Western-armed groups near Turkiye. While the deal’s full implementation is due by year’s end, Syrian sources anticipate delays. The meeting underscores Damascus’ bid to assert authority amid historic sectarian divides, balancing Alawite, Druze and Kurdish demands as international normalisation proceeds. For the SDF, pivotal in defeating ISIS in Syria, reintegration into state structures poses complex challenges, particularly along the Turkish frontier. Though obstacles remain, the government frames this as progress toward inclusive governance. Al Jazeera’s Osama Bin Javaid reports from Damascus. Al Jazeera’s Osama Bin Javaid reports from Damascus. Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.io/AJEMobile #Syria #SDF #MazloumAbdi #NewSyria #AhmedAlSharaa #SyrianKurdishFighters #NortheastSyria #SecularSyria #SyrianArmy #SyriaSDFdeal #AlJazeeraEnglish