Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani and US Special Envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack discussed the situation in Syria and the latest field developments.

During a meeting held in Pirmam in Erbil (Kurdistan Region, northern Iraq) on Saturday, 17 January, the two sides stressed the need to rely on dialogue, understanding, and peaceful means to reach solutions to the existing problems and disputes between Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

Barzani expressed his appreciation for the role of the United States in helping Syrian parties reach understandings, and pointed to the importance of guaranteeing Kurdish rights in Syria’s future.

For his part, Barrack thanked Barzani for his role in the peace process and in calming recent events in Syria. He also conveyed greetings and appreciation from US President Donald Trump.

The meeting was attended by SDF commander Mazloum Abdi, the co-chair of the Foreign Relations Department in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, Ilham Ahmed, the head of the Kurdish National Council in Syria, Mohammed Ismail, and the US Consul General in Erbil, Wendy Green.

Barrack had previously said Washington was working to calm tensions and resume talks between the Syrian government and the SDF to implement the 10 March agreement.

In a post on X on Friday, 16 January, Barrack wrote, “The United States remains in close contact with all parties in Syria and is working around the clock to calm the situation, prevent escalation, and return to integration talks between the Syrian government and the SDF.”

The Erbil meeting comes as northern Syria continues to see tensions between the Syrian government and the SDF, along with ongoing clashes, amid mutual accusations of violating agreements and undermining stability.

Call to halt hostilities

US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper issued a statement on the developments in Syria and the conflict between the Syrian government and the SDF.

CENTCOM urged Syrian government forces to halt any offensive operations in the areas between Aleppo and al-Tabqa (western Raqqa, northern Syria).

It welcomed ongoing efforts by all parties in Syria to prevent escalation and to seek a solution through dialogue.

CENTCOM added that pursuing the Islamic State group firmly and maintaining sustained military pressure requires cooperation among Syrian partners, in coordination with US forces and coalition forces.

It also said a Syria at peace with itself and with its neighbors is essential to achieving peace and stability across the region.

Meanwhile, confrontations continue in the southern and eastern countryside of Raqqa, as government forces attempt to seize the strategic city of al-Tabqa, after taking control of Deir Hafir (eastern Aleppo countryside, northern Syria) and Maskanah (eastern Aleppo countryside, northern Syria).