Amid continuing turmoil in Syria and lingering concerns over the status of Kurdish communities, the French National Assembly has once again put the country’s alliance with Kurdish forces at the forefront of its foreign policy debates. Politicians from across the spectrum have stressed the importance of preserving the progress made in the fight against ISIS and maintaining the progress made by the Autonomous Administration of Northern and Eastern Syria (AANES), particularly in promoting women’s rights and inclusive governance.
During a parliamentary debate, French MP Daniella Simonnet of the New Popular Front paid tribute to the resilience of Kurdish communities – particularly in the city of Kobani (Kobanê), which celebrated the tenth anniversary of its liberation from ISIS. She underlined how Kurdish-led forces have not only defeated ISIS, but continue to run prisons holding thousands of suspected extremist fighters and their families. Concerned about the security threats posed by militias backed by neighbouring powers, Simonnet urged the French government to push for a no-fly zone and to implement stronger sanctions against those violating Syria’s borders.
La France va-t-elle exiger de la Turquie un cessez-le-feu au Rojava et, sans ingérence, soutenir les revendications des Kurdes pour une Syrie unifiée, indépendante de la Turquie, qui respecte l’autonomie du Rojava ?
Cet après-midi, suite à mon retour du Rojava où je me suis… pic.twitter.com/Whs6AHeq49
— Danielle Simonnet (@SimonnetDeputee) February 4, 2025
Simonnet also highlighted fears that the Kurds, who played a crucial role in the anti-ISIS coalition, could be sidelined in the diplomatic negotiations orchestrated by the new transitional authorities in Damascus. Of particular concern were statements suggesting that Kurdish women would be barred from serving in the armed forces – an alarming development given the central role women have played in the military and political spheres of AANES.
"Today, we want to break the silence of that same international community, while Islamist militias funded by Turkey are attacking the Tishrin (Tişrîn) Dam, which is being defended by the armed forces and civilian populations—primarily women."
Simonnet also reiterated her observations from AANES, highlighting the inclusive governance model that prioritises women’s participation in both military and political structures. However, she expressed concern about statements by Syria’s new transitional authorities suggesting that women should be excluded from military service.
In response, Minister Barrault reaffirmed France’s commitment to the protection of Kurdish communities and recognised their significant contribution to the fight against terrorism. Stressing that the Kurds are “loyal allies and brothers-in-arms”, Barrault confirmed that Kurdish representatives would be invited to the forthcoming conference on Syria in Paris on 13 February. He also underlined France’s mediation efforts between Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) General Mazloum Abdi, the Turkish government and Damascus.
” I would remind you that, in the north-east of the country, in addition to fighting Daesh, it is the Kurds who have bravely guarded the prisons where several tens of thousands of terrorist fighters and their families are currently detained.
That is why we facilitated mediation between General Mazloum—whom I spoke with before even travelling to Damascus—and Turkey. We also facilitated mediation between General Masloum and the transitional authority in Damascus."
Observers note that this parliamentary exchange follows a recent visit by a French delegation to the AANES, where officials from various parties met with local leaders to discuss ongoing security and governance issues in the region. These diplomatic actions underscore France’s unwavering support for Kurdish autonomy initiatives and its determination to ensure that Kurds have a voice in shaping Syria’s political future.
With international talks on the horizon, Kurdish representatives are expected to continue advocating for their inclusive social contract, which promotes equality across ethnicity and gender. Analysts suggest that France’s endorsement of the Kurdish agenda could influence wider European and international strategies, potentially paving the way for a more stable and representative post-conflict governance model in Syria.
