British News Agency

US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack stated that the greatest opportunity for Kurds in Syria lies in the transition period under the new government led by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. He emphasized that this process opens the path to full integration, citizenship rights, cultural protection, and political participation—rights that were long denied under the Bashar al-Assad regime.

Barrack underlined that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were the most effective local force against ISIS, saying, “The purpose of the SDF’s existence as the primary local anti-ISIS force has largely ended, as Damascus is now willing and positioned to assume security responsibilities.”

Noting that the United States has played an active role in facilitating integration between the SDF and the Syrian government, Barrack said, “We held extensive consultations with the Syrian government and SDF leadership to secure the integration agreement signed on January 18 and to ensure its timely and peaceful implementation.”

Barrack added that the agreement предусматриes the integration of SDF fighters into the national army, the transfer of strategic infrastructure, and the handover of ISIS detention facilities and camps to Damascus, stressing that “the US priority is to ensure the security of ISIS detention facilities and to facilitate peaceful integration between the SDF and the Syrian government.”