ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - A senior official within the ruling Syrian administration on Monday said the comments by the Kurdistan Democratic Party’s (KDP) President Masoud Barzani regarding the new government in Damascus were “of utmost importance,” adding that they view Kurds in Syria as a partner in the path ahead.

In a statement on Sunday, President Barzani welcomed the comments made by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) chief Ahmed al-Sharaa regarding the Kurdish community in Syria, expressing hope that it becomes "the beginning of correcting the course of history and ending the wrong and unfair practices that were committed against the Kurdish people in Syria.”

The Kurdish leader stated that Sharaa’s remarks “pave the way for building a strong Syria,” and urged all components of the country to seize the opportunity and participate in building “a stable, free, and democratic Syria.”

“The relationship between the Syrian people and leader Masoud Barzani is an old one, and all Syrians have great respect and appreciation for him, especially for his guiding and fatherly role in caring for Syrian refugees during the Syrian revolution who sought refuge in the Kurdistan Region,” Hassan Al-Dughaim, a senior official in the transitional Syrian government, told The New Region on Monday.

Hundreds of thousands of Syrians of different ethnicities and religions sought refuge in the Kurdistan Region after 2011 in the wake of the country’s bloody civil war. The Region still hosts over 250,000 refugees, according to the latest data from relevant authorities.

Dughaim described Barzani’s statement as “of utmost importance and significance, stemming from his position as a neighbor to the Syrians and as a symbol of the Kurdish people, a large part of whom are Syrian citizens.”

He stressed that the new government aspires to have relations with Erbil, and work together toward establishing “permanent peace.”

“This message came at the right time… and supports the transfer of power to the new Damascus government.”

Dughaim described the Kurds as “a fundamental component” of the Middle East’s culture, civilization, and history, adding that the new Syrian government’s approach will be aimed at forming peaceful and friendly relations.

The Kurdish enclave of north and east Syria, known as Rojava, is ruled by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES). The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a US-backed force, controls the bulk of northeastern and eastern regions of Syria, amounting to a quarter of the country's territory.

Clashes have erupted between the Kurdish forces and rebel groups in SDF-controlled areas since the start of the anti-government group’s campaign in late November. The groups announced seizing control of the eastern city of Deir ez-Zor on Wednesday.

The escalation of violence in those areas has reportedly led to the displacement of thousands of civilians.

Dughaim claimed that the SDF do not represent Syria’s Kurds, and described the group as a “a tool of oppression against Syrians, whether Kurd, Arab, or Turkmen.”

“We consider ourselves closer to the Kurds than the SDF. Because the SDF wants to trade with them and kidnap them, but we want to be brothers, not captives, but partners in building the state,” he added.

The senior official said that the no members of the Syrian revolution and new leadership have any objection to a Kurd being the president or prime minister of Syria, or holding other top positions in the state, calling it “their natural right through free and fair elections,” but stressed that the priority at the moment is ensuring the security of the country.

Syria’s new rulers, including Sharaa, have repeatedly described Kurds as an essential component of Syria and an integral part of the country, pledging to protect Kurdish communities and work together in building the upcoming Syria.