Syria's new leader holds talks with Kurds, meets minority Christians

DAMASCUS,— Ahmed al-Sharaa, known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammad al-Golani, held his first meeting with senior commanders of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Monday, according to a source familiar with the discussions.

The talks, described as “positive,” mark a significant step toward potential cooperation between the new Islamist-led administration and the Kurdish forces.

The meeting in Damascus follows the overthrow of long-time Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad in early December, a victory spearheaded by Sharaa’s faction. As the SDF battles Turkish-backed Islamist militias in northern Syria, both sides reportedly see the need for dialogue.

“Senior officials from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) met with Ahmed al-Sharaa for preliminary discussions on Monday, an anonymous source revealed to AFP on Tuesday. The meeting served as a starting point for future dialogue, with both sides expressing a commitment to ongoing discussions to foster mutual understanding.”

The U.S.-backed SDF, the de facto army of the autonomous Kurdish administration in Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava). It gained prominence after leading the 2019 defeat of the Islamic State group in Syria. However, Turkey considers the SDF’s primary component, the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), a “terrorist” organization linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has waged an insurgency against Turkey for decades.

Turkey has longstanding ties with Sharaa’s HTS, a group labeled a terrorist organization by the U.S., Turkey, and other governments. At the same time, Turkey accuses the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), the main force within the SDF, of being linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has been fighting an insurgency against Turkey for over 40 years.

Meanwhile, fighting rages in northern Syria. On Tuesday, Turkish-backed Syrian Islamist mercenary fighters reportedly killed three Kurdish security personnel in Aleppo, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The clashes are part of escalating tensions between the SDF and Turkish-supported Islamist groups.

In an interview with Al Arabiya on Sunday, Sharaa proposed integrating the SDF into a unified national army under the new administration.

“Weapons must belong solely to the state. We will welcome those qualified to join the defense ministry under these conditions,” he said, signaling potential terms for negotiations.

Outreach to Christian Leaders

In a parallel development, Sharaa met with senior Christian clerics on Tuesday, seeking to address concerns over minority rights under the new regime. The meeting, held in Damascus, included leaders from Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican communities, according to a statement from the Syrian General Command shared on Telegram.

Images released with the statement showed Sharaa engaging in dialogue with clerics. The discussions aimed to reassure Christians and other minorities of their inclusion in the evolving political landscape.

During his visit to Lebanon, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot emphasized the need for an inclusive political transition in Syria. Speaking to AFPTV, he stated, “A sustainable political solution must guarantee fundamental rights and freedoms for all communities.”

Barrot and French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu also met with Lebanon’s army chief, Joseph Aoun, and visited UN peacekeepers stationed along Lebanon’s southern border. Their visit comes weeks after a fragile truce ended intense hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel in late November.

As Syria faces a new chapter of uncertainty, Sharaa’s moves signal an effort to consolidate power while seeking broader support among the country’s diverse communities. Whether these steps will lead to lasting stability remains uncertain.

(With files from AFP | Agencies)