Autonomous Administration prepares delegation for talks with Daramsuq as Syrian Transitional Government visits al-Hol Camp

ZALIN / DARAMSUQ, Syria — In a week marked by rapid political developments, the fragile road toward a negotiated future for Syria appears to open slightly wider. From a high-level visit by Syrian Transitional Government (STG) officials to the al-Hol camp, to the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) confirmation of a forthcoming dialogue delegation, and a major multiethnic forum in Zalin (Qamishli)—signals of cautious movement are beginning to emerge. 

Together, these three key events—taking place between May 22 and May 24—have revealed a shared, though still tentative, interest in shaping a political settlement that includes the autonomous regions of North and East Syria. 

DAARNES delegation in preparation, anchored by April unity document 

On May 22, Aldar Khalil, senior member of the Presidential Committee of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), confirmed in an interview with Reuters that political leaders from the Democratic Autonomous Administration of the Region of North and East Syria (DAARNES) are preparing to form an official delegation to engage in direct negotiations with the Syrian Transitional Government in Daramsuq (Damascus). 

The foundation for those talks, Khalil said, would be the Kurdish Unity Document agreed upon in April during a broad unity summit among Kurdish parties in Syria. “This document expresses our collective vision and defines our expectations,” Khalil stated. “We’re working to finalize the delegation soon, but we recognize there will be serious challenges ahead.” 

Khalil underlined that any serious dialogue must guarantee the continued role of regional security forces in North and East Syria—forces that emerged from the fight against ISIS and remain critical to the region’s fragile stability. “Without constitutional, legal, and political guarantees for security, discussions about disarmament or integration will be hollow,” he said. 

Transitional Government visits al-Hol Camp in unprecedented move 

Just one day later, on May 23, a delegation from the STG, accompanied by international coalition forces, arrived in the northeast for a rare and closely watched visit to al-Hol camp in the Hasakeh countryside. 

The visit is the first of its kind since the signing of the March agreement between SDF commander-in-chief Mazloum Abdi and Syrian transitional president Ahmad al-Sharaa. That accord outlined steps to improve cooperation, facilitate returns of displaced people, and address humanitarian crises jointly. 

The visiting officials—drawn from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior, Intelligence, and Counterterrorism—met with camp administrators to assess living conditions and discuss mechanisms for repatriating Syrian families. According to well-informed sources, the government will not assume control of the camp or other detention centers housing ISIS affiliates, but a joint committee will be established to review the files of detainees. 

Observers say the visit signals not only a tentative step toward reconciliation but also a recognition by Daramsuq that solving the country’s displacement crisis will require working with, rather than around, the autonomous authorities. 

Forum in Zalin highlights urgency for unity and negotiation 

Capping this series of developments was a spirited public forum held on May 24 in the city of Zalin (Qamishli). Organized by the Syrian Democratic Council’s Public Relations Office under the banner “The Importance of Negotiation for a Free and Democratic Future,” the event drew together a wide spectrum of voices—including Syriac, Kurdish, and Arab community leaders, political representatives, and civil society stakeholders. 

Participants engaged in lively discussions across three major themes: the current state of negotiations with Damascus, the future of inclusive education, and strategies for deepening cross-community alliances within the diverse fabric of northeast Syria. 

The forum underscored widespread consensus on the importance of unity and dialogue. “Despite our differences, we all recognize that the only sustainable future is one where every voice is heard and every community is respected,” said one attendee, a Syriac civic leader. Others warned that divisions, if left unresolved, would only deepen the region’s vulnerability to external threats and internal collapse. 

From Gesture to Commitment 

While none of these events in isolation guarantees a political breakthrough, together they mark a rare convergence of intent—however cautious—between once-estranged sides. 

Still, tensions remain. Khalil criticized previous steps by Daramsuq, including the unilateral approval of the constitutional declaration and the formation of the STG without consultation. Nevertheless, he reaffirmed the Kurdish administration’s willingness to engage constructively. “We are ready to negotiate,” he said. “But it must be a real process—genuine, inclusive, and based on shared principles.” 

As regional actors and international stakeholders observe this unfolding moment, the question remains whether these gestures will lead to the long-sought national dialogue—or fade into yet another chapter of Syria’s unresolved conflict. 

For now, the doors to negotiation have cracked open—what comes next will test the patience, vision, and resilience of all involved.