ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - President Masoud Barzani on Friday held a phone call with US Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack, with the two expressing mutual gratitude for the efforts that went into reaching the recent agreement between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Damascus.

The SDF announced on Friday that it has reached a “comprehensive agreement” with Damascus that will see a phased integration process of the Kurdish-led forces into the Syrian state after weeks-long clashes between both sides.

“Mr. Barrack expressed his appreciation to President Barzani, on behalf of himself and the President of the United States, for President Barzani’s significant role in achieving the ceasefire and in supporting dialogue between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces. He also commended President Barzani’s contribution to the agreement reached on Friday between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces,” read a statement from Barzani Headquarters.

President Barzani also thanked the US, President Donald Trump, and Barrack for their role in securing Friday’s deal, expressing his support for the agreement in hopes of “consolidating peace” in Syria and the region as a while.

The agreement includes “the withdrawal of military forces from contact points,” the entry of Syrian interior ministry security forces into the Rojava (northeast Syria) cities of Hasakah and Qamishli, and “the commencement of the integration of security forces in the region,” according to the SDF.

It also includes the formation of a military division under Syrian state control from three SDF brigades and a brigade from the Kobane forces within a division under the auspices of Aleppo provincial authorities.

The recent clashes between Kurdish-led forces and Damascus-affiliated factions broke out after a year of tensions regarding a prospective integration agreement, with Rojava authorities remaining hesitant in light of sectarian massacres perpetrated by state forces against the country's Druze and Alawite minorities.

Barzani and Barrack also reviewed the current political situation in Iraq, with the Kurdish leader stressing that implementing the constitution is the key to stability and resolving issues in the country.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday stressed that Washington will no longer help Baghdad if former premier Nouri al-Maliki becomes the next prime minister, criticizing his “insane policies and ideologies.” 

“President Barzani stressed that the primary foundation for stability and the resolution of issues lies in the implementation of the constitution, respect for the rights of Iraq’s components to determine their own future, and the protection of Iraqi sovereignty,” the statement concluded.

Maliki, a 75-year-old veteran Shiite politician, is the leader of the State of Law Coalition. He was designated as the ruling Shiite Coordination Framework’s pick for the next prime minister earlier in the week. If elected, it would mark his third term as premier.