Syrian Ruler Ahmed Al-Sharaa Meets SDF Delegation in Historic Summit
In a groundbreaking development on Monday (30/12/2024), the newly appointed Syrian leader, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed Al-Julani, met with a delegation from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). This meeting marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to establish a new government structure in Syria.
Positive Talks and Preliminary Meeting
According to a Syrian official familiar with the meeting between Al-Julani and the SDF delegation, the discussions were described as positive. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity and referred to Al-Sharaa by his military alias, stated that the meeting in Damascus laid the groundwork for future dialogues. Both parties agreed to continue the meetings to foster mutual understanding in the days ahead.
First Negotiation Since Assad’s Ouster
This meeting signifies the first negotiation held by Al-Sharaa with Kurdish leaders since the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad on December 8, 2024. It comes at a time when clashes persist between Kurdish fighters, including US-backed factions, and armed groups supported by Turkey in northern Syria.
Escalating Conflict and Power Shifts
Previously, the armed opposition alliance Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), led by Al-Sharaa and his loyalist factions, launched a sudden attack on the Syrian military on Wednesday (27/11/2024), starting from Aleppo and culminating in the seizure of power in Damascus on December 8, 2024. Reports suggest that President Assad fled to Russia after HTS took control.
On the other hand, pro-Turkish armed factions, including the Free Syrian Army (FSA), have been engaging in skirmishes with Kurdish forces, including the SDF supported by the US. They have managed to capture territories like Tal Rifaat and the city of Manbij from the Kurds.
Complex Dynamics and Regional Interests
The SDF, predominantly Kurdish, retains control over significant portions of northeastern Syria and parts of the Deir ez-Zor Governorate, particularly along the eastern banks of the Euphrates River. These areas operate under autonomous governance established by the Kurds at the onset of the Syrian civil war in 2011, following the withdrawal of Syrian government forces.
Following Assad’s regime downfall, Turkey has been seeking closer ties with the new Syrian ruler, Al-Sharaa. Turkey views the SDF and its affiliate, the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), as extensions of Kurdish militants in Turkish territories, labeling them as terrorists threatening national sovereignty.
As political landscapes shift and alliances evolve in war-torn Syria, the meeting between Al-Sharaa and the SDF delegation underscores the complexities and challenges in forging a stable and inclusive governance structure for the nation’s future.
