The issues of “integration” and “decentralization” continue to pose significant hurdles in negotiations between Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), sources close to the talks in Damascus said.
Amid the stalled efforts, SDF leader Mazloum Abdi announced that he welcomes a potential Saudi role in mediation, reflecting Riyadh’s unique influence and acceptance among various Syrian factions.
He made the announcement amid reported Kurdish concerns over Türkiye’s growing role in the negotiations.
Following the postponement of a planned meeting between the Syrian government and the SDF in Paris amid conflicting statements from northeastern Syria, Abdi spoke to Al Arabiya on Tuesday, saying Saudi Arabia “could play a positive role as a mediator” in talks with Damascus.
Abdi pointed to recent violence in the Sweida province as a reminder of the urgent need for “negotiations and reaching an agreement.” He added that upcoming talks in Paris would focus on the mechanism for integrating SDF forces into the Syrian army.
The SDF leader reiterated his group’s agreement with Damascus on “a united Syria under one army and one flag,” adding that the SDF would become part of Syria’s Ministry of Defense. However, he also highlighted Kurdish apprehension about joining the Syrian army “without constitutional guarantees.”
On the implementation of the March 10 agreement, Abdi said his forces aim to fulfill all terms before the year’s end, but acknowledged the process is slow due to “issues on both sides.”
The dialogue between interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s administration and Abdi is seen as a key pathway toward establishing a political process that will define Syria’s state structure and governance model. But, according to Turkish-Kurdish affairs analyst Khurshid Deli, the track faces considerable challenges.
Deli told Asharq Al-Awsat that “the first major problem is the fundamental divergence in visions.” While Damascus insists on a centralized state, the SDF and other Syrian groups advocate for decentralization, believing it best ensures political partnership through a constitutional process that protects all communities’ rights.
The second major obstacle concerns the concept of “integration.” Damascus views integration as requiring the SDF and all autonomous administration institutions in northeast Syria to join state structures individually.
In contrast, the SDF sees integration as maintaining these institutions with restructured coordination with Damascus, preserving Kurdish and other communities’ rights within a new Syrian state framework.
The Turkish factor also complicates dialogue. Ankara exerts pressure on Damascus to uphold its vision while simultaneously causing anxiety within the SDF, which regards talks with Damascus as an internal Syrian matter.
Deli said Abdi’s welcoming of a Saudi role is significant given Riyadh’s capacity and acceptance among all Syrian factions.
Paris is slated to host renewed talks between Damascus and the SDF in the coming days. Deli said France, supported by Western countries, appears to be banking on “softening disagreements between the two sides.”
Both parties remain committed to dialogue and appear ready to make concessions toward a final deal. Deli suggested the Syrian government might need to reassess its approach to the internal Syrian landscape following recent security incidents in coastal areas, Sweida, and elsewhere, alongside its outreach abroad.
French media have reported preparations for negotiation sessions between the SDF and the Syrian government in the coming weeks, involving senior officials from both sides.
