Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
The Abu Ali Mustapha Brigades, the military wing of the PFLP, says they handed over the body of an Israeli captive to the Israeli occupation forces in implementation of the clauses of the ceasefire agreement.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: Israeli drones are flying over the presidential palace in Baabda, Mount Lebanon, and over the skies of the capital, Beirut, and its suburbs.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli warplanes launch a series of raids on the al-Mahmoudiya and Jarmaq areas
Trump reiterates proposal for Russia and Ukraine to stop at current front line, negotiate later
Reuters: Trump says no discussion regarding Ukraine ceding Donbas to Russia
US Vice President JD Vance: There is currently no security infrastructure in place to ensure the disarmament of Hamas
Israeli occupation forces said that "ceasefire in Gaza begins to be re-implemented."
Israeli media: 'Israel' to halt entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza until further notice.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: One woman was killed and several children were injured as a result of Israeli bombing of displaced Gazans' tents in the Mawasi area of ​​Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip.
Al Mayadeen correspondent in Gaza: An Israeli airstrike targeted the eastern areas of Jabalia, north of the Gaza Strip.

Syrian MoD open to talks with Kurds, threatens action if talks fail

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 22 Jan 2025 20:39
3 Min Read

UN envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, expressed hope during a press briefing in Damascus on Wednesday that the conflicting parties would allow space for a diplomatic resolution "so that this does not end in a full military confrontation".

Listen
  • x
  • AP
    People wave with flags showing Kurdish symbols as they attend a demonstration of some thousand protestors against the Turkish offensive targeting Kurds in Afrin, northern Syria, in Berlin, Germany, Saturday, March 3, 2018. (AP)

Syria's Defense Minister, Murhaf Abu Qasra, announced on Wednesday that the government is open to negotiating with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) about integrating them into the national army. However, he warned that military action remains an option should these talks fail.

"The door to negotiation with the (Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces) is currently open," Abu Qasra stated. "If we have to use force, we will be ready."

This development follows a meeting last month between an SDF delegation and Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria's interim leader and head of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, which led the offensive that ousted President Bashar al-Assad. During an interview with Al Arabiya, Sharaa proposed incorporating the Kurdish-led forces into the national military to ensure that weapons are "in the hands of the state alone."

Read more: Al-Sharaa holds talks with SDF amid intense clashes in Syria's north

The SDF, backed by the United States, played a central role in expelling the Islamic State group from its last territory in Syria in 2019. However, the coalition's formation and continued operations have been widely viewed as a strategy to facilitate and consolidate the US military presence in Syria, a presence that violates Syria's territorial integrity and sovereignty. The SDF has since retained control over much of the oil-rich northeastern region, where it has exercised de facto autonomy for over a decade.

Abu Qasra dismissed offers of oil from the SDF, asserting that the government's priority is restoring full sovereignty. "They offered us oil, but we don't want oil, we want the institutions and the borders," he said.

Related News

Iran, Russia reaffirm ties, reject nuclear deal exploitation

Sectarian violence escalates in Syria's Homs amid official complacency

Turkiye's role in the conflict

The SDF's relationship with Turkiye further complicates the situation. Ankara accuses the SDF's primary component, the YPG, of having ties to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a group labeled a terrorist organization by Turkiye.

Over the past year, Turkish-backed forces have launched offensives against SDF-controlled territories, seizing areas in northern Syria.

Earlier this month, then-US Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged Turkiye's concerns and stated that efforts were underway to prevent further escalation.

Read more: France-Turkiye relations sour as SDF gains French-linked drone bombers

Diplomatic efforts

UN envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, expressed hope during a press briefing in Damascus on Wednesday that the conflicting parties would allow space for a diplomatic resolution "so that this does not end in a full military confrontation".

Pedersen stressed that both Washington and Ankara play critical roles in fostering a peaceful negotiation environment. 

"We are looking for the beginning of a new Syria and hopefully that will also include the northeast in a peaceful manner," he said.

While talks between Damascus and the SDF signal a potential pathway toward reintegration, the threat of conflict looms large if negotiations falter, leaving the future of northeastern Syria uncertain.

  • Syria
  • Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Murhaf Abu Qasra
  • Syrian National Army
  • kurdish militias
  • HTS

Most Read

Iran strikes secret Israeli-US bunker under Tel Aviv high-rise

Tel Aviv high-rise struck by Iran hid Site 81, secret US-Israeli base

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Yemeni Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Abd al-Karim al-Ghamari , during a ceremony in an undisclosed locations in Yemen, undate (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemeni Armed Forces mourn martyred Chief of Staff al-Ghamari

  • Politics
  • 16 Oct 2025
Israeli occupation violates Gaza ceasefire, killing seven Palestinians.

Israeli occupation violates Gaza ceasefire, kills seven Palestinians

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Zionists Fundamentally Misread Iran Due To Their Own Echo Chambers

Zionists fundamentally misread Iran due to their own echo chambers

  • Analysis
  • 15 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
UK blocks release of documents on secretive Lammy-Sa’ar meeting.
Politics

UK blocks release of documents on secret Lammy-Sa’ar meeting

Colombia slams Trump’s drug accusation, defends sovereignty
Politics

Colombia slams Trump’s incendiary drug claims, defends sovereignty

The abuse was detailed in Giuffre's memoir "Nobody's Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice." (AP)
Politics

Epstein victim recounts choking, sexual assault by 'well-known PM'

The US Secret Service discovered a hunting stand near the airport President Donald Trump uses in Florida. (US Secret Service)
Politics

FBI probes hunting stand with sightline to Trump’s Air Force One exit

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS