Nechirvan Barzani Visits Damascus for Official Talks
At a Glance
- Nechirvan Barzani visits Damascus.
- First visit since Syria's political transition.
- Talks to focus on Kurdish issue and bilateral ties.
- Refugees and SDF agreement on agenda.
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani arrived in Damascus on Monday for an official visit, where he is expected to hold talks with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on bilateral relations, the future of Syria's Kurdish population, and regional security developments.
Key Statements and Focus Area
- This is Barzani's first visit to Damascus since Syria's political transition.
- Talks will cover relations between Erbil, Baghdad, and Damascus.
- Syrian refugees in the Kurdistan Region and the Damascus-SDF agreement are key agenda items.
- The visit follows previous meetings between Barzani and al-Sharaa at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.
First Official Visit to Damascus
Nechirvan Barzani is visiting Damascus on Monday, August 3, following an official invitation from Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
According to the Kurdistan Region Presidency, the visit is intended to strengthen relations between the Kurdistan Region and Syria following the country's political transition.
Talks to Focus on Regional Issues
Dilshad Shahab, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Region Presidency, told Channel8 that Barzani's meetings will focus on relations between Syria, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region, as well as opportunities to expand cooperation.
He said discussions will also address the situation of Syrian refugees who have been living in the Kurdistan Region for several years.
The agenda also includes efforts to reduce tensions in northeastern Syria and discussions on ensuring Kurdish participation in Syria's future political and administrative institutions.
SDF Agreement on the Agenda
According to Channel8's information, the talks are expected to address the agreement between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), along with broader efforts to resolve the Kurdish issue in the new Syrian political landscape.
The visit also aims to support efforts to reduce ongoing clashes and encourage political dialogue.
Building on Previous Meetings
The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) said the visit is part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and explore new areas of cooperation that serve the interests of both sides.
Barzani and al-Sharaa previously met during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in 2025 and 2026, where they discussed developments in Syria and the framework of the agreement between Damascus and the SDF.
FYI
The visit marks Nechirvan Barzani's first official trip to Damascus since Syria's political transition. The Kurdistan Region has hosted hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees since the start of the Syrian conflict, while developments in northeastern Syria and the future of Kurdish political participation remain key issues in regional diplomacy.
Dive Deeper: Handpicked Stories for You
Follow Channel8 for continuous updates:
https://channel8.com/english/news/61864
