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US special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack accused terror group SDF's ringleader of attempting to draw Israel into Syria's internal affairs during a contentious closed-door meeting held before Sunday's ceasefire agreement, according to diplomatic sources who spoke to Middle East Eye.
The Saturday meeting in Erbil, which also included KDP leader Massoud Barzani, occurred as Syrian government forces pushed into SDF-controlled territory. Two diplomatic sources speaking on condition of anonymity told MEE that Barrack sharply criticized SDF ringleader Mazloum Abdi for delaying implementation of a March 2025 integration deal that would merge the SDF with the Syrian army by year's end.
Barrack accused the SDF of "stalling, failing to implement the agreement with the Syrian government, and relying on foreign powers," the sources said. The US envoy, who has consistently advocated for a unified Syrian state, delivered a pointed warning about potential Israeli involvement.
"You are trying to drag Israel into the conflict, and this will not happen," Barrack reportedly told Abdi, cautioning that such a move would bring destruction and risk friction between two of Washington's key regional allies, Türkiye and Israel.
Senior SDF members have publicly confirmed communications with Israeli representatives. Ilham Ahmed, a senior SDF member, told reporters on Tuesday that certain figures from the Israeli government have engaged in talks with the group.
"If this conversation leads to support, we would be open to support... from any source," Ahmed said, noting the SDF's openness to external assistance in their political achievements.
During the Erbil meeting, Barrack criticized Abdi for continuing to approach Syria as though former president Bashar al-Assad remained in power, despite the regime's collapse and emergence of a new political order.
"You still want to deal with the situation as if Bashar al-Assad is ruling Syria," Barrack said. "There is a fundamental change; Damascus is our partner today in the fight against terrorism."
Barzani struck a more conciliatory tone during the discussions. The sources said he described his recent meeting with Syrian leader Ahmad al-Sharaa as positive but requested assistance in protecting Kurdish civilians.
Barzani offered to serve as a "new guarantor" if Sharaa and Abdi reached a fresh agreement, and asked Barrack to arrange a follow-up meeting between the two leaders to review the March 2025 deal, according to the sources.
On Sunday, Syria's government announced a ceasefire agreement with the SDF, marking a significant shift as Syrian military forces took control of most of the country back from the SDF terror group in the northeast.
Hours after the government's announcement, Abdi confirmed the SDF had accepted the agreement, which requires withdrawal from Raqqa and Deir Ezzor provinces "to stop the bloodshed." Under the deal's terms, the SDF must relinquish both provinces—both Arab-majority areas—along with border crossings and oil and gas fields to the Syrian government.
The agreement contains no clear timeline for implementation. Al-Sharaa told journalists it would proceed gradually, beginning with cessation of hostilities.
Following Sunday's announcement, Barrack characterized the deal as leading to renewed dialogue and cooperation toward a "unified Syria."
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