Anticipated meeting in Paris between DAARNES representatives and Syrian Government

PARIS — France’s increasingly visible role as a mediator between the Democratic Autonomous Administration of the Region of North and East Syria (DAARNES) and the Syrian government is no longer behind closed doors. Following its involvement in earlier negotiations in Daramsuq (Damascus), Paris is now set to host a new round of talks this Friday — according to reports circulating on social media and statements from journalists and activists. The meeting is expected to bring together a delegation from the DAARNES, led by Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander-in-chief Mazloum Abdi, and a delegation from the Syrian government, headed by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani.

Also expected to attend — according to available information — are US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. The goal: to announce concrete steps forward in integrating the SDF and civilian institutions under the DAARNES into Syria’s national framework, based on an agreement signed on March 10 between Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and SDF commander Mazloum Abdi.

While the exact agenda of the Paris meeting remains unclear, sources indicate that Abdi is likely to be joined either by Ilham Ahmed, co-chair of the Department of Foreign Relations in the DAARNES, or Foza Youssef, a key negotiator from the DAARNES’ delegation in the Daramsuq (Damascus) talks.

The planned meeting in Paris is reportedly the outcome of a preliminary meeting held last Saturday in Amman, Jordan, involving Abdi, al-Shaibani, and Barrack. According to sources, notable progress was achieved in several areas, including water dams and border crossings. The SDF also reaffirmed its readiness to integrate into the Syrian Army as an independent corps while maintaining control over its current areas of operation.

However, the anticipated meeting has now been postponed indefinitely, as confirmed by the DAARNES’ representative in France, Karim Qamar, in a statement to Hawar News Agency. He did not disclose the reasons behind the delay but mentioned that the delegation had yet to arrive in France, and no official meetings with French officials had been scheduled.

Related: Syrian Transition Government and Syrian Democratic Forces Reach Agreement on Integration  

 The March 10 agreement outlines the incorporation of SDF forces and civil institutions of the DAARNES into the Syrian Army and public service ministries by the end of 2025. It also stipulates that all border crossings with Iraq and Turkey, as well as Qamishli International Airport and the region’s oil fields and energy infrastructure, be placed under Syrian government control.

SDF spokesperson Abgar Daoud recently rejected any notion of the SDF surrendering its weapons to the Syrian government, especially amid escalating violence in the southern city of Suwayda and a resurgence of ISIS threats. He also dismissed reports that the SDF had been given a 30-day deadline to integrate into the Syrian military.

Related: SDF spokesperson Abgar Daoud: we have no intention of dividing Syria or seceding from its territory 

Farhad Shami, head of the SDF Media Center, confirmed Daoud’s statements in an interview with al-Yaum TV, stressing that the SDF’s weapons are Syrian weapons — and handing them over is a red line. “We’re not negotiating our core principles,” he said, adding that the Syrian government still operates with an exclusionary mindset and lacks a unifying constitution. “At this point, giving up our arms would be a grave mistake,” he warned. “You never know when they might be turned against you.”