ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Mazloum Abdi, commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), met on Thursday with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Erbil, where the two sides discussed ways to implement the January 29 ceasefire and integration agreement between the Kurdish-led forces and Damascus, while reaffirming their commitment to the joint fight against the Islamic State (ISIS).
In a statement on X, the SDF commander said that the meeting with the French foreign minister discussed “the details of implementing the January 29 agreement,” including “the integration of [Rojava’s] military and security forces in all its aspects, including the Women’s Protection Units [YPJ].”
Abdi quoted Barrot as emphasizing “the importance of full implementation of the agreement” and expressing France’s support for this phase.
A separate SDF statement on X added that Barrot “stressed the importance of this phase in strengthening stability and continuing the fight against terrorism.”
The SDF also noted that the Abdi-Barrot meeting - attended by YPJ Commander Rohilat Afrin and Elham Ahmad, a senior figure from the Kurdish-led Rojava administration - discussed “ways and mechanisms to implement the January 29 agreement,” emphasizing “the necessity of its full implementation.”
In mid-January, the Syrian Arab Army and allied armed groups launched a large-scale offensive aimed at pushing back the SDF, which serves as Rojava’s de facto military force, from areas in northern and northeast Syria (Rojava), including parts of Aleppo, Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa, and Hasaka provinces.
These territories had initially been liberated from ISIS by the Kurdish-led forces, who also act as a key on-the-ground ally of the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, of which France is a key member. The SDF then maintained control to prevent the group’s resurgence.
The Kurdish-led forces and Damascus last week announced the internationally brokered January 29 agreement, facilitated primarily by France and the United States, to end hostilities and integrate Rojava’s civil and military institutions under state control.
The SDF statement quoted Abdi as affirming the Kurdish-led forces commitment to the agreement and praising Paris for its “positive role during this phase, noting its impact in supporting efforts toward peace and stability.