ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – President Masoud Barzani on Thursday discussed the situation in Rojava (northeast Syria) with Italian defense minister Guido Crosetto, stating that the Kurdistan Region is making all efforts with international partners to prevent war.

“All our efforts are to ensure the war doesn't escalate and stops, and that the Kurdish areas there [in Syria] are protected and our people are safe,” said Barzani in a presser alongside Crosetto. “We are trying to prevent war and protect the people of Kurdistan from hardship, pain, and abuse.”

The Kurdish leader said that Italy is “very understanding” of the situation, adding that the minister affirmed that they are paying close attention to the matter, and that Italy will continue supporting the Kurdish people.

For his part, Crosetto expressed concern over the situation in Rojava, lauding the role of Kurds in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) and President Masoud Barzani as a “symbol” of the fight against the terror group.

President Masoud Barzani urged dialogue to resolve the tensions between Damascus and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), stating: “We will try until our last breath” to ensure that the conflict does not expand further and that Kurdish lives are protected.

Barzani also noted that he is in constant contact with the leadership of Qatar, Damascus, and SDF amid the ongoing conflict, noting: “They have promised us that they will not allow this to become a Kurdish-Arab war, and that they will preserve Kurdish dignity.”

Speaking to reporters alongside Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, President Masoud Barzani emphasized that they will spare no effort in protecting Kurdish dignity amid the current crisis in Rojava (northeast Syria) pic.twitter.com/t1a0RBr9fB

— The New Region (@thenewregion) January 22, 2026

Barzani arrived in Italy’s capital Rome on Wednesday, meeting with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. The Kurdish leader and the head of the Catholic Church both “wished that peace and stability would prevail in the world and that an end would be brought to the suffering and misery of people,” according to a statement from Barzani’s office.

The Syrian Arab Army has waged a violent campaign on SDF-held areas since early January, with Damascus-linked factions rapidly advancing toward Rojava territory amid reports of grave human rights violations despite several fragile ceasefires being agreed.

The recent clashes have killed roughly 1,000 combatants on both sides, a war monitor told The New Region.