Al Monitor: Turkish-French rivalry threatens to undermine Damascus-SDF negotiations

In a report by Al Monitor website, noted that the rivalry between Türkiye and France is hindering the ongoing US mediation between Damascus and the Syrian Kurdish factions.

According to the report, Ankara is exerting intense pressure on Damascus to cancel the talks scheduled to be held in Paris, fearing that French support would give the Kurds an advantage in the negotiations.

Türkiye is preventing a key meeting between Syrian Kurdish leaders and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al Shaibani in Paris, three regional officials told the Al Monitor website.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s visit to Damascus, where he met with Syrian transitional President Ahmed al Sharaa on Thursday, came partly as part of this pressure.

These moves coincide with Turkish threats to take unspecified action against Kurdish factions if they fail to abide by the agreement signed last March between the Syrian government and the commander of the Syria Democratic Forces (SDF), Mazloum Abdi, which aims to integrate Kurdish civilian and military structures within the framework of the central government.

Meanwhile, the Syrian side canceled a meeting scheduled for July 25 in Paris to promote dialogue, despite the Kurdish delegation’s willingness to travel via Erbil via transportation organized by the President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Nechirvan Barzani.

The official reason for the cancellation was unrest in parts of Syria between tribes and the Druze, but informed sources indicated that Turkish pressure was the real reason behind it.

The sources explained that Damascus is demanding guarantees regarding the Kurds’ withdrawal from parts of the Arab-majority Deir al Zour province, which is currently administered by the Kurdish Autonomous Administration.

In contrast, the Kurdish delegation expressed its willingness to establish joint administration with the central government in these areas, but emphasized the need to maintain security control until a comprehensive agreement is reached across Syria.

Ankara is increasingly concerned about France’s role, which has publicly called for Kurdish participation in shaping the country’s future.

This could tip the balance of negotiations in favor of the Kurds in Paris.

According to sources, Ankara has proposed moving the talks to the Jordanian capital, Amman, where the Turkish side feel they would have greater influence than if they were held in Paris.

According to sources, “Ahmed al Sharaa is forced to submit to Türkiye despite his dissatisfaction,” referring to the head of the Syrian National Coalition.

It’s worth noting that Türkiye, which has more than 10,000 troops deployed in northern Syria, is a major player in the Syrian conflict.

Its relationship with the opposition coalition dates back to the beginning of the war, when Ankara supplied weapons to armed factions fighting against the Assad regime.

Fidan’s visit to Damascus comes a day after US Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack met with the head of the Syrian National Coalition, announcing multi-billion dollar deals to rebuild the country’s infrastructure.

Barrack is leading efforts to organize the Paris talks, which were recently postponed to August 10 and 11.

On the other hand, France clearly supports the Kurdish position, much to Türkiye’s dismay.

France was the first European country to host the Syrian coalition, in an attempt to limit Turkish influence and invest in Syria’s reconstruction opportunities.

The rivalry between Türkiye and France extends beyond Syria, extending to the Eastern Mediterranean and West Africa, where Türkiye provides military support through its drones, strengthening its role and influence in the region.