Syria's leader Sharaa says those who seek partition "dreaming"

DAMASCUS, Syria,— Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa said over the weekend he remains hopeful that Syria will avoid open conflict with U.S.-backed Kurdish forces, even as talks to integrate their self-rule authority in Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava) into the state structure have faltered.

Speaking late Saturday in Idlib before a gathering of loyalist figures, Sharaa noted that Kurdish leaders had earlier signaled readiness to proceed with a landmark March agreement to place their territories under Damascus’ authority. But he said their conduct on the ground has raised doubts.

“At times, what we hear in negotiations is contradicted by actions on the ground,” Sharaa told attendees, according to remarks carried by state outlets.

Sharaa added that both Washington and Ankara, the two key international powers backing the agreement, continue to push for a peaceful resolution.

“These parties are urging a solution without bloodshed. I hope no dispute emerges. I am optimistic we can resolve this within months,” he said.

The March deal was meant to ease tensions in Syria’s northeast, a region rich in oil and farmland.

But follow-up talks collapsed, leading to renewed clashes this month between government troops and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, which remain closely partnered with U.S. forces in the fight against remnants of the Islamic State group.

Turkey-backed Islamist mercenary groups have also reinforced front lines amid fears of a wider escalation.

Ankara has repeatedly labeled the SDF as a “terrorist” group, citing its ties to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party PKK, and has mounted several incursions into Syrian Kurdistan in recent years. Turkish officials insist their government will act militarily if its security concerns are not addressed.

Analysts say Turkey worries that Kurdish self-rule across the border in Syrian Kurdistan could fuel separatist sentiment among Kurds inside Turkey, who make up nearly one-third of its population. Ankara still does not recognize its Kurdish minority in the constitution.

In Washington, U.S. envoy for Syria Tom Barrack said last month that he was troubled by what he described as Kurdish delays in carrying out the March deal, urging quicker steps to implement its terms.

Damascus, meanwhile, denounced an SDF conference earlier this month that called for broader decentralization and a review of the constitution, arguing the demands endangered Syria’s unity.

Syrian officials have warned that any future military campaign against the SDF could rely heavily on Turkish-backed Islamist mercenary fighters already active in the north.

Sharaa said those who sought partition were “dreaming” and insisted Syria would not surrender any of its land. He also criticized Druze groups in Sweida who have sought support from Israel.

On Saturday, thousands of Druze residents rallied in Sweida, carrying Israeli flags and praising Israeli actions that forced Syrian forces to pull back after clashes last month killed hundreds.

Sharaa admitted that “violations” had occurred by state forces in Sweida but said Druze militias had also committed abuses.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, once had ties to al-Qaeda and ISIS. He later founded the al-Nusra Front, which began as an al-Qaeda affiliate and was rebranded as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

The Autonomous Administration in Syrian Kurdistan, set up in 2018, governs under a model of democratic confederalism. It emphasizes local self-rule, gender equality, secularism and environmental principles, and has drawn international attention for promoting women’s political participation.

(With files from Reuters)