Mediation efforts between Syria, PKK/YPG yielded no positive results, says Iraqi president

Iraqi President Abdullatif Rashid announced that his country’s mediation efforts between Syria’s transitional government and the PKK/YPG terrorist group did not yield positive results.

Speaking to the UAE-based Sky News Arabia, Rashid stated that Iraq had attempted to mediate disputes between the two sides. “Unfortunately, it did not conclude positively,” Rashid said during the interview.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the U.S., and the EU, has waged a 40-year terror campaign against Türkiye, resulting in the deaths of over 40,000 people, including women, children and the elderly. The YPG is the PKK’s affiliate in Syria.

Concerns over security at Iraq-Syria border

Rashid also raised concerns about the presence of “terrorist groups” along the Iraq-Syria border. “We hope they will not use the border (within Iraq) to carry out terrorist acts,” he stated, emphasizing Iraq’s ongoing efforts to secure its borders and prevent such incidents.

He added that Iraq is taking “serious” steps to enhance border security while underscoring the importance of non-interference in Syria’s internal affairs. Rashid expressed hope that any changes in Syria would include all components of Syrian society.

Barzani, PKK/YPG’s ringleader discuss unity

On Jan. 16, PKK/YPG terrorist organization ringleader Ferhat Abdi Sahin codenamed ‘Mazlum Kobani,’ met with Masoud Barzani, leader of the Iraqi Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP), in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdish Regional Government (KRG).

According to the Northern Press Agency (NPA), discussions focused on the situation in northern Syria and the need for Kurdish groups in Syria to decide their future “peacefully and without external interference.”

Barzani and Sahin reportedly called for unity among Kurdish factions in Syria. NPA reported that this unity could help secure their rights and reach an agreement with Syria’s emerging authorities.

In an interview with Shams TV on Jan. 24, Barzani highlighted the importance of recognizing Kurdish rights in Syria. “The new Syrian authorities must turn their positive statements into concrete actions,” he said.

Barzani stresses unity, opposition to external interference

Barzani further emphasized that Syrian Kurds must first unite internally before presenting their collective demands to Damascus.

He reiterated his opposition to external interference, saying, “The presence of the PKK in Syria remains a significant problem and provides justification for Türkiye’s intervention.”