“A political solution must be found with France’s allies, the Kurds, so that they are fully integrated into this political process that is beginning today,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said during a meeting in Damascus on Friday, according to reports in French media.
Barrot and his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock arrived in Damascus on Friday, the first official representatives of European countries to visit Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime four weeks ago. Their mission was to engage with the Syrian transitional government led by Ahmad al-Shara (formerly known as Abu Muhammad al-Julani), the leader of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), and explore avenues for a new chapter in Europe-Syria relations.
On the eve of his visit to Damascus, Barrot also had a telephone conversation with Mazloum Abdi, the leader of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). “They discussed the ongoing transition in Syria, recalling the importance of democratic governance where each of the components of the Syrian nation will be fully recognised and represented,” the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also took to social media platform X to dispute claims that they had called for Kurdish groups in Syria to disarm. “Our Minister has never declared that. This fake news was circulated by RT, a media that is prohibited in Europe for its disinformation operations. France calls for an end of fighting in Northern Syria and a political solution that gives a role to our Kurdish partners of SDF, with whom we have fought ISIS, for the future of Syria,” the ministry said.
Speaking ahead of their trip, German Foreign Minister Baerbock had said that there can only be a new beginning in Syria if the new society gives all Syrians – women and men, regardless of ethnic or religious group – a place in the political process, gives them rights, and provides them with protection, adding that these rights must be protected and “not undermined by very long periods of time until elections are held or if steps are taken to Islamise the justice system or education.”
Highlighting the commencement of talks with the Kurdish-dominated SDF as an important signal of progress towards moderation and understanding among key actors in Syria, Baerbock called on “all neighbouring countries, including Turkey and Israel … [to] maintain the sovereignty and territorial integrity” of Syria during this new phase.
Turkish-affiliated forces and the occupying Turkish army have continued their aggressive operations in northeastern Syria, targeting critical infrastructure with persistent airstrikes by F-16 aircraft, with Turkish warplanes most recently bombing Deir Hafar, its surrounding areas, and the Tishreen Dam.
