ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) chief Mazloum Abdi on Monday thanked Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani for Erbil’s “continued support” to Rojava (northeast Syria) amid clashes with Damascus-linked forces. 

“We contacted Mr. Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government [KRG], regarding efforts to de-escalate tensions and transfer ISIS [Islamic State ] detainees to Iraq,” Abdi said on X.

“We expressed our deep appreciation for the continued support his government has provided to our people, embodying the spirit of partnership and shared responsibility in these difficult circumstances,” he stressed.

During the conversation, Prime Minister Barzani reaffirmed Erbil’s support for Rojava, according to Abdi. 

Rojava has faced a brutal assault by the Islamist-led Syrian Arab Army and its affiliated factions since early January, with reports of a significant number of ISIS militants having fled the prisons previously held by the SDF after the Kurdish-led force withdrew from the facilities amid continued shelling. 

The attacks have also left the symbolic Kurdish city of Kobane besieged, as Damascus-affiliated forces attempt to secure interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s vision of a united, centralized Syria, despite the country’s marginalized minorities repeatedly calling for federalism. 

The Kurdistan Region has rushed to support Rojava during the clashes, with aid groups sending humanitarian aid to thousands of Rojava’s families. 

Tens of thousands of residents have also protested across the Kurdistan Region in support of Rojava, against the brutality and violence committed by Syrian government and government-aligned forces. 

Rojava’s authorities have described the campaign by Damascus as an “existential” war, issuing a call for “resistance” across all parts of Greater Kurdistan.

That call was answered by thousands of youth across the Kurdistan Region, who have crossed the border to join the forces in Rojava to combat what they believe to be a war against all Kurds. 

On Saturday, the Syrian defense ministry announced a 15-day extension to its ceasefire with the Kurdish-led SDF, but attacks by Damascus-aligned forces continue regardless, as Kobane remains besieged.