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U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye and Syria Special Representative Tom Barrack met with the ringleaders of the terrorist group SDF, Mazloum Abdi and Ilham Ahmed, on Thursday, reiterating Washington’s support for a military and political integration deal between the SDF and the Syrian government.
"The United States reaffirmed its strong support for and commitment to advancing the integration process outlined in the January 18 agreement between the SDF and the Syrian government," Barrack said in a social media post following the meeting.
Commenting on the outcomes of the meeting, Barrack emphasized that all parties recognized the importance of sustained calm on the ground as a prerequisite for moving forward.
He described the cease-fire as the necessary foundation for advancing the integration framework and creating conditions conducive to mutual trust.
"All parties agreed that the essential first step is the full upholding of the current ceasefire, as we collectively identify and implement confidence-building measures on all sides to foster trust and lasting stability," he added.
On Jan. 16, the Syrian army launched a military operation targeting areas controlled by the terrorist group SDF west of the Euphrates River. The campaign rapidly expanded eastward, where local tribal factions joined the fighting. As a result, Syrian government forces regained control over large portions of territory previously held by the SDF.
The escalation led to the announcement of a cease-fire and a Full Integration Agreement between Damascus and the SDF. According to the terms of the deal, individual SDF terrorists are to be absorbed into Syria’s national security forces under a structured integration framework.
However, implementation has faced obstacles. Elements of the SDF have reportedly resisted the agreement, leading to sporadic clashes along frontlines with the Syrian military. The fragile cease-fire remains under pressure as the government seeks to enforce the deal’s provisions across contested regions.
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