During a meeting at the Munich Security Conference, Nechirvan Barzani, the President of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, urged Syria’s Interim Foreign Minister, Asaad al-Shaibani, to protect the rights of Kurds in Syria. They discussed enhancing regional stability and the need for national dialogue amid ongoing sectarian tensions and challenges faced by Kurdish forces in northeastern Syria. Their dialogue reflects broader regional concerns regarding the future governance of Syria following years of conflict.
Nechirvan Barzani, the President of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, called upon the new authorities in Damascus to safeguard the rights of Syria’s Kurdish population during a meeting with Syria’s Interim Foreign Minister, Asaad al-Shaibani. This discussion occurred on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, although the exact day of the meeting remains unclear.
Both leaders explored ongoing political and security issues affecting Syria and Iraq, emphasizing the importance of enhancing regional stability and protecting the rights of diverse communities affected by years of conflict. Barzani advocated for approaches based on dialogue and mutual understanding to resolve issues.
Minister Shaibani reiterated Syria’s commitment to fostering stability and facilitating national dialogue, expressing Syria’s intention to strengthen relationships with Iraq and its autonomous Kurdish region. Shaibani underscored the need for cooperation amidst the complex political landscape resulting from Syria’s prolonged conflict.
Recent sectarian attacks, particularly against minority groups following the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad last December, have increased uncertainties for these communities. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which dominate northeastern Syria, have expressed reluctance to relinquish control or integrate into the new administration.
An upcoming conference aims to address Syria’s political future; however, the Kurdish-led administration in the northeast and Assad loyalists will be notably excluded from this discussion. Mazloum Abdi, a commander of the SDF, advocates for a secular and decentralized state in a post-Assad Syria, although many of his proposals conflict with the interests of the Islamist-led authorities in Damascus.
Moreover, the SDF has resisted efforts by the transitional government to disarm armed groups, emphasizing the deep divisions among the Syrian populace concerning future governance. Since pro-democracy protests led to a violent crackdown by Assad’s forces in 2011, the resulting conflict has claimed over half a million lives and displaced a significant portion of the pre-war population, primarily due to Assad’s military actions against civilian areas.
In summary, President Nechirvan Barzani’s meeting with Syria’s Foreign Minister highlighted the urgent need to protect the rights of Kurds and other communities in Syria amid ongoing political instability. Both parties expressed a commitment to regional cooperation and dialogue to facilitate stability and ensure representation for all communities in the post-conflict landscape. The resistance of the SDF to integrate into new governance structures emphasizes the complexities facing Syria’s future.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
