On Tuesday, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani received Commander-in-Chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) General Mazloum Abdi and discussed the future of Syria and Kurdish rights after Syrian parliament elections were held in Hasakah Governorate and the Kurdish town of Kobani.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on the latest developments in the overall situation in Syria, as well as the country’s Kurdish population.

Both sides agreed on the importance of preserving security and stability in Syria and safeguarding the rights of the Kurdish people and all other components of Syrian society.

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani also received General Abdi, and the two leaders discussed the current situation in Syria, the Kurds and other communities in the country, and regional developments, emphasizing the importance of maintaining stability and confronting the threat of terrorism.

General Abdi expressed his gratitude for the continued support of President Nechirvan Barzani and the leadership of the Kurdistan Region regarding the rights of the Kurds and other communities in Syria.

The meeting also underscored the importance of dialogue and mutual understanding among the Kurdish factions in Syria and efforts to resolve their issues with Damascus.

After heavy fighting between the Kurdish-led SDF forces and the Syrian army, both sides reached an agreement on January 29 to integrate the SDF into the national armed forces and to stop the fighting. The agreement was supported by the Kurdish leadership in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and the United States.

The meeting between the Kurdish leadership and the SDF also comes after delayed Syrian parliamentary elections were held last Sunday in the Kurdish-majority northeastern governorate of Hasakah and the Kurdish town of Kobani. These regions, previously under full SDF control — and the Suwayda Governorate under Druze control — were excluded from the elections held in October 2025 elections.

The election was boycotted by the Kurdish Democratic Union Party, while the Kurdish National Council (KNC) joined the election. A total of 8 Kurds were elected, including Fasla Youssef, a member of the KNC’s presidential body.