KDP president, SDF chief discuss the unity of Syria's Kurds

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) chief Mazloum Abdi on Wednesday spoke on the phone to discuss the latest developments in Syria, including the landmark agreement between the SDF and Damascus. The two emphasized Kurdish unity in Syria, according to Barzani's office. 

Abdi and Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Monday signed a landmark agreement about the future of their relations, mainly the integration of the SDF into the Damascus-affiliated forces. 

Barzani said he supports "any step that brings peace and stability to Syria," and both Kurdish leaders emphasized Kurdish unity in the political process in Syria, read a statement from Barzani's office. 

Abdi made an unprecedented visit to Erbil in mid-January to meet with the KDP leader who has repeatedly called on the ruling and opposition parties in the SDF-held northeast Syria (Rojava) to be united, especially after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.  

The deal between the SDF and the Syrian transitional government has received broad international support, including the United Nations, United States and Kurdistan Region’s president and political leaders. 

Ankara, which treats the SDF as an arch-enemy for its alleged ties with the Kurdish rebels in Turkey. 

The agreement also includes respect for Kurdish rights and the control of oil fields and border crossing by Damascus. 

Updated at 4:45 pm