UN Envoy Encourages Kurdish Parties in Syria to Engage in Dialogue

US envoy Nicholas Granger (second left) during his meeting with leaders of the Kurdish Autonomous Administration in the city of Qamishli. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
US envoy Nicholas Granger (second left) during his meeting with leaders of the Kurdish Autonomous Administration in the city of Qamishli. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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UN Envoy Encourages Kurdish Parties in Syria to Engage in Dialogue

US envoy Nicholas Granger (second left) during his meeting with leaders of the Kurdish Autonomous Administration in the city of Qamishli. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
US envoy Nicholas Granger (second left) during his meeting with leaders of the Kurdish Autonomous Administration in the city of Qamishli. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

US State Department Special Envoy to Syria Nicholas Granger is urging Kurdish parties to return to intra-Kurdish talks and resolve outstanding contentious issues between them.

Granger held meetings with leaders of the opposition Kurdish National Council and officials of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria.

In a meeting held in the northeastern city of Qamishli, Granger told Kurdish parties that US forces deployed in eastern Syria will remain and continue with their missions to guarantee the defeat of the terrorist ISIS group and promote security and stability.

Granger affirmed the US administration’s commitment to resolving the Syrian crisis through the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2254.

Moreover, the envoy discussed the course of dialogue between Kurdish parties, which have been suspended for two years.

In a phone remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Kurdish official Mohammad Ismail said the delegation headed by the US diplomat “confirmed that Granger was mandated by the US administration to meet and listen to all parties.”

“Granger conveyed Washington's view on many issues in Syria,” said Ismail, explaining that the envoy had discussed the steps for normalization of ties between Türkiye and the ruling Syrian regime, and the US position that opposes any normalization with the Damascus government.

Ismail pointed out that the Kurdish delegation that met with Granger had conveyed concerns about the recent escalation on the Syrian-Turkish border.

Also, the Kurdish delegation discussed the impact of Turkish ground and air attacks on the stability of the region.

Delegation members also relayed concern about waves of displacement.

“The new envoy conveyed to us his support for the Kurdish cause and its people,” members of the delegation said, adding that Granger had reviewed with them the deteriorating economic and living conditions experienced by Kurds in Syria.



Moscow Open to Dialogue with Trump on Syria

The Russian Foreign Minister during a meeting last week in the Kazakh capital, Astana (Reuters)
The Russian Foreign Minister during a meeting last week in the Kazakh capital, Astana (Reuters)
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Moscow Open to Dialogue with Trump on Syria

The Russian Foreign Minister during a meeting last week in the Kazakh capital, Astana (Reuters)
The Russian Foreign Minister during a meeting last week in the Kazakh capital, Astana (Reuters)

Russia, Iran, and Türkiye have called for an end to Israel’s military escalation in the Middle East, expressing concern over the worsening regional situation and warning of negative impacts on Syria.
At the conclusion of the 22nd round of Syria talks in Astana, Kazakhstan, the three countries reaffirmed their commitment to a political solution, focused on restarting the work of the Constitutional Committee.
The escalation in the region, combined with the uncertainty following US President-elect Donald Trump’s victory, was a major topic of discussion in Astana, both during bilateral talks and in broader sessions.
The Russian delegation was led by Alexander Lavrentiev, Special Representative for Syria, while Iran’s delegation was headed by Ali Asghar Haji, Senior Political Advisor to the Foreign Minister. Türkiye’s delegation was led by Ambassador Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul, Director-General for Syrian Affairs at the Foreign Ministry.
The Syrian government delegation, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Ayman Riad, and the opposition delegation, led by Ahmad Tohme, were also present.
Representatives from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), along with observers from Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq, attended the talks.
UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen was also present.
Sources at the meetings told Asharq Al-Awsat that much of the discussion focused on the impact of ongoing Israeli airstrikes in Gaza and Lebanon and their effects on Syria, particularly amid Israel’s efforts to expand the conflict.
There was a strong emphasis on preventing Syria from becoming further embroiled in the growing conflict. Additionally, the impact of Trump’s election on US policy towards the region and Syria was widely discussed, with increasing speculation that Trump might follow through on promises to withdraw US troops from Syria.
This issue was highlighted by Russia’s envoy, Lavrentiev, at the close of the talks.
Lavrentiev stated that Russia is open to talks with the new US administration once it is in place to discuss issues related to Syria.
“If there are proposals, Russia is open and ready to continue communication with the US,” he added.
According to Lavrentiev, “Some compromises can only be reached through negotiations.”
A source from the Syrian opposition, speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, said there is a shared view that a US withdrawal from Syria is “not inevitable, even if Trump has mentioned it.”
The source noted that Trump has become more pragmatic and responsive to the "deep state," with a better understanding of foreign policy.
The source also pointed out that Türkiye shares this view. While Ankara wants the US to leave, it does not want a unilateral withdrawal without coordination, especially since the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are open to talks with both the Syrian government and Russia.

The discussions also highlighted that, despite Israel's efforts to reduce Iranian influence in the region, it is unlikely that Trump will push for a withdrawal under the current situation.