ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) late Sunday announced that they will continue talks with the Damascus government regarding the integration of the Kurdish-led force into the Syrian state "until results are reached," coming after both sides held a much-vaunted meeting earlier in the day.

"The leadership of the Syrian Democratic Forces held a meeting this morning with officials of the Damascus government, during which the issue of integrating military forces was discussed, within the framework of an official dialogue," the SDF said in a brief statement.

"The two sides agreed to continue holding meetings in the coming period to complete the discussions and follow up on this file within an organized process, until results are reached."

An SDF delegation, led by Commander-in-Chief Mazloum Abdi, held talks with government officials in the Syrian capital regarding the long-stalled integration process outlined in a March 10 agreement between Abdi and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa that would see the Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria (Rojava) brought under the auspices of Damascus.

The implementation of the agreement has been stalled due to the Kurdish side demanding a democratic integration while Damascus maintains its centralized stance, with frequent clashes between both sides further escalating tensions.

Shortly after the meeting, Syrian state television, citing a government source, reported that the sit-down "did not produce tangible results on speeding up the implementation of the [integration] agreement on the ground."

The state TV report contrasted with a later statement by Farhad Shami, head of the SDF's media office, who said that the discussions were held "with professional and responsible principles, ensuring well-considered results," adding that "what is currently being circulated outside of this framework does not reflect the proceedings of the meeting."

In October, the SDF said that it had submitted the names of around 70 commanders to be integrated into the Syrian defense ministry. Abdi said a month later that the Kurdish-led force will play a "great role" in the to-be-formed Syrian army and will “strengthen it.” 

While the March 10 agreement was supposed to be completed by the end of 2025, the Rojava administration’s communications office has said that this did not indicate a fixed deadline but was rather a timeline "to encourage progress."

Turkish authorities have also intensified calls on the Kurdish forces to integrate into the Syrian army, as Ankara views the SDF as an extension of its now-dissolved domestic foe, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), and thus a threat to its national security. Turkey has also on several occasions made direct and indirect threats to the SDF for allegedly stalling the process.