Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the secretary-general of the United Nations, speaks at a press briefing in New York on January 23, 2025. Photo: Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A United Nations official called for all parties in Syria to cooperate without “unhelpful rhetoric” as talks continue between the Kurds in northeast Syria (Rojava) and the new leadership in Damascus.
“We want all parties to avoid any unhelpful rhetoric at a time when we believe the forces in the country should be coming together,” Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson of the secretary-general of the United Nations, told Rudaw at a press briefing in New York on Thursday.
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are currently engaged in discussions with the new government in Damascus about their future and that of the Kurdish administration in the northeast.
The United Nations special envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen said on Wednesday that these negotiations should be given a chance and sufficient time to avoid a full-scale confrontation.
Earlier on Wednesday, Syrian Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra told reporters that the transitional government is open to talks with the SDF on its dismantling and being integrated into the national army, but warned that they are "ready" to use force if negotiations fail, AFP reported.
Haq said that Pedersen “is in touch with the parties and he will try to learn from his discussions with them what formula is best as an acceptable solution amongst all the parties.”
Earlier this month, Syria’s de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa said the new Syrian army would include the SDF, days after he met with SDF chief Mazloum Abdi to discuss the future of the Kurdish-led force and the status of Rojava. Abdi has expressed readiness to integrate his force into Syria’s new security apparatus if both sides agree on a formula.
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