Macron urges “Good Faith” talks between DAARNES and Daramsuq. Calls for accountability over Suwayda violence

PARIS — Amid past and latent violence in southern Syria, French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday urged continued negotiations between the Democratic Autonomous Administration of the Region of North and East Syria (DAARNES) and the central government in Daramsuq (Damascus), stressing the need for dialogue to proceed in “good faith.” He noted that recent trilateral talks had helped define the next steps toward a resolution.

In a statement published on his official account on X, Macron said he held a phone call with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa to discuss the worsening security situation in Suwayda, which has seen a surge in violence and targeted killings. He described the events as “a stark reminder of Syria’s fragile transitional phase.”

Macron underscored “the urgency of preventing further bloodshed and emphasized the need to hold perpetrators accountable.” He called for “legal investigations and prosecutions based on findings from the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria.”

Regarding talks between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the French President stressed that “any progress must take place within a national framework that ensures good governance and security.” He reiterated France’s support for a comprehensive political process that preserves Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Macron also welcomed the recently brokered ceasefire in Suwayda, calling it a “positive signal” and advocating for a “calm and constructive dialogue” as the only path toward unifying the country and guaranteeing the rights of all Syrians.

The call also touched on Syrian-Israeli relations, with both leaders reportedly expressing support for efforts to enhance stability along the Syria–Lebanon border. Macron affirmed “France’s readiness to support such initiatives,” signaling Paris’ continued involvement in regional diplomacy.

In closing, Macron praised what he described as “President al-Sharaa’s commitment to counterterrorism efforts” and stressed the importance of maintaining cooperation between France and Syria in this domain.