Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani held talks with Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Commander Mazloum Abdi in Erbil late Wednesday, focusing on Kurdish unity in Syria, relations with Damascus, and the role of Kurds in Syria’s future governance.

According to a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency on Thursday, the two leaders discussed recent developments in Syria, including ties between the SDF, Kurdish political parties, and the Syrian government. They also exchanged views on counterterrorism efforts, particularly the ongoing threat posed by the Islamic State (ISIS).

Both sides stressed the importance of Kurdish participation in Syria’s political process, emphasizing that all ethnic and political components should be included in the country’s administration.

The meeting followed separate discussions between Barzani, Abdi, and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, who praised Kurdish unity in Syria and commended the SDF’s role in combating ISIS.

The talks come ahead of a key intra-Kurdish conference in northeast Syria (Rojava), where representatives from the ruling Democratic Union Party (PYD), the opposition Kurdish National Council (ENKS/KNC), and other Kurdish factions will gather to discuss unity and their political future in Syria.

Barzani and Abdi also highlighted the need for cohesion among Syrian Kurdish factions to secure Kurdish rights and demands, the presidency’s statement noted.

Rojava’s political dynamics have evolved significantly since the ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December, prompting rival Kurdish groups to intensify reconciliation efforts. In January, Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani hosted a pivotal meeting in Erbil with Abdi to advance dialogue.

The PYD and ENKS have since engaged in U.S.- and French-mediated talks to bridge differences. In a major development in March, Abdi and Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa signed an agreement to integrate the SDF into Syrian state institutions, recognizing Kurds as an essential part of Syria and paving the way for a nationwide ceasefire and the return of displaced Syrians.

The upcoming Rojava conference is seen as a critical step toward consolidating Kurdish political unity amid Syria’s shifting landscape.