Mazloum Abdi's visit to Damascus postponed: Reasons and political repercussions
Informed sources close to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) reported that the planned visit of its commander-in-chief, Mazloum Abdi, to the Syrian capital, Damascus, has been postponed, citing "technical reasons." This announcement comes at a time of intense political and diplomatic activity in Syria aimed at finding common ground between the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria and the central Syrian government.
Background to the dialogue between the SDF and Damascus
This movement is not a spontaneous event, but rather part of a long series of stalled and intermittent rounds of dialogue between the two sides over the past years. The integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the Syrian army and the recognition of the Autonomous Administration's autonomy have consistently been the most prominent points of contention hindering a final agreement. While Damascus insists on a complete return to central state control and the dissolution of parallel military formations, the SDF demands the preservation of its military structure within a national defense framework, along with guaranteed constitutional rights for the Autonomous Administration.
Russia's role and ongoing mediation
Russia plays a pivotal role in this equation, with Moscow striving to bridge the gap between the two sides. The Russian leadership views reconciliation between the Kurds and Damascus as a strategic step to reduce American influence east of the Euphrates and extend Syrian state sovereignty over all its territory. The stated "technical reasons" for postponing visits are often linked to logistical or security arrangements overseen by Russian forces, or to the need for both sides to conduct further internal consultations before sitting down at the negotiating table for direct talks.
Regional influences and Turkish threats
The negotiation process between the SDF and Damascus cannot be separated from the tense regional context, specifically Turkey's persistent threats to launch ground operations in northern Syria. These threats often serve as a strong incentive for the Syrian Democratic Forces to seek political and military protection from Damascus and Moscow. Conversely, the Syrian government attempts to exploit these concerns to impose its conditions in the negotiations, creating a tug-of-war that sometimes leads to the postponement of crucial meetings.
Future of the relationship and expectations
Despite the current postponement, observers believe that communication channels will remain open, given the shared interests in confronting economic and security challenges. Any potential future agreement between the two sides would have significant repercussions on the Syrian political landscape and could pave the way for a broader political settlement. However, this hinges on the extent to which both sides are willing to make substantial concessions that overcome the current "technical" and political obstacles.
