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Al-Monitor discusses anticipated historic meeting between Kobani and Barzani
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The anticipated meeting represents a historic opportunity to unify Kurdish efforts in the region and strengthen cooperation with Washington to face increasing regional challenges
The American envoy is preparing to arrange an exceptional meeting between Mazloum Kobani, commander of the Pentagon-allied Syrian Democratic Forces in combating ISIS, and Masoud Barzani, former president of Iraq's Kurdistan Region and the most prominent Kurdish figure globally, according to three informed sources who spoke to Al-Monitor.
The sources explained that the meeting will be held this week at Barzani's elevated headquarters overlooking Erbil, following Barzani's sending of his delegate Hamid Darbandi to meet Kobani in northeastern Syria on Monday.
The significance of this first-of-its-kind meeting emerges in the Biden administration's efforts to reduce tensions between the Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party led by Barzani, which controls the Kurdistan Regional Government, and their Syrian Kurdish partners, as part of comprehensive American efforts to prevent further escalation between Ankara and the Syrian Democratic Forces.
The dramatic changes in Syria with the collapse of the Assad regime have become an additional factor pushing toward finding urgent solutions for all concerned parties.
Ankara continues its threats, with Erdogan making provocative statements on Wednesday, threatening the People's Protection Units with a new military operation if they don't disarm.
A Syrian Kurdish official told Al-Monitor that Turkish forces have switched from using drones to fighter jets since Monday to support the Turkish-backed "Syrian National Army" groups in their failed battles.
The chances of success for the American initiative appear promising amid accelerating regional developments, especially with the increasing need to unify Kurdish ranks in facing common challenges.
Levant-Al-Monitor
