Nechirvan Barzani meets Syria’s Sharaa in Turkey

ANTALYA,— In the first-ever meeting on Friday, Nechirvan Barzani, the President of Iraq’s Kurdistan region, met with Ahmed al-Sharaa, the Syrian interim President, on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, the Kurdistan presidency said in statement.

Barzani offered his administration’s continued support for Syria’s political transition, emphasizing the importance of unity and stability in the ongoing conflict.

Barzani took to social media following the meeting to share details of their conversation, stating that he was “pleased” to engage with al-Sharaa, who is currently leading Syria’s opposition forces.

“We discussed the situation in Syria where he shared his vision for a future Syria that embraces all its people,” Barzani wrote in a post on X. “I commended his inclusive approach and assured him of our continued support.”

The two leaders also reiterated their commitment to ongoing efforts against ISIS and agreed on the importance of regional peace and security.

Barzani expressed optimism about al-Sharaa’s dedication to these goals, which have become a central part of the international community’s focus on Syria’s future.

Al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, was appointed interim president in January 2025.

He has a controversial past, having been associated with al-Qaeda and ISIS. Al-Sharaa was also the founder of the al-Nusra Front, which later rebranded as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) after breaking away from al-Qaeda.

Despite his commitment to an inclusive transitional government, al-Sharaa has faced widespread criticism.

Minority and Kurds in Syrian Kurdistan in particular have voiced concerns that his administration has not adequately represented their interests.

In March, al-Sharaa approved a constitutional declaration focused on Islamic law and centralized power, further straining relations with non-Islamist factions.

His new cabinet, announced after his ascension to the presidency, has included members of several minority groups, but notably excluded Kurdish representatives from Syrian Kurdistan.

In the same month, violence against the Alawite minority in western Syria also sparked outcry, with reports of hundreds of civilians being killed by militias affiliated with Sharra.

Further complicating the situation, several figures in al-Sharaa’s cabinet have been blacklisted by the United States and the United Nations due to suspected ties to Islamist extremist groups, raising questions about the legitimacy of his leadership in the eyes of the international community.

In addition to his discussions with al-Sharaa, Barzani, who has maintained strong relations with Turkey, met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the forum. Their talks centered on fostering closer economic and political ties.