ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani received US envoy to Syria and Iraq Tom Barrack and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) chief Mazloum Abdi in Erbil on Tuesday, where they discussed “Kurdish-Damascus cooperation” and Erbil’s support for stability in Syria.

In a statement, the Kurdistan Region Presidency said that the latest developments in the region, the situation in Syria, and “Kurdish-Damascus cooperation were discussed” during the meeting hosted by Barzani in Erbil.

The Kurdistan Region's leadership played a key role in mediating the January agreement that halted weeks of clashes between Damascus and the Kurdish-led SDF in northern and northeast Syria. 

The fighting saw the Kurdish-led force lose control of swathes of territory before the deal ended hostilities and paved the way for the integration of the SDF and Kurdish institutions in northeast Syria (Rojava) into the Syrian state.

President Barzani stressed the necessity of dialogue in Syria and “the protection of the rights of Kurds and other communities” in the country, while expressing the Kurdistan Region's support for “resolving the problems and maintaining security and stability,” according to the statement.

During the January clashes, numerous violations against SDF forces and Kurdish civilians were attributed to Damascus-affiliated forces.

Barrack said on X that he was “grateful” for his meetings on Tuesday with President Masoud Barzani, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, and President Nechirvan Barzani, saying they are “united in support of a stable, sovereign and prosperous Iraq” and President Donald Trump’s “vision for a new Middle East.”

“Our discussions advanced critical opportunities in energy, economics, and the path forward between Erbil and Baghdad,” Barrack added.

Barrack was appointed as Special Presidential Envoy to Iraq by Trump in late May. The US president also renewed the diplomat’s mandate as Special Presidential Envoy to Syria while keeping him in his role as US ambassador to Turkey.