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Kurdish-Backed SDC Holds Talks With Syrian Government

by VOA News

   A delegation of the Kurdish-backed Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) and
   U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forced (SDF) is in Syria for talks with
   Syrian government officials, an alliance official said on Friday.

   The delegation arrived in Damascus two days ago, SDC co-chair Riad
   Darar said, adding that Kurdish authorities are working towards a
   settlement for northern Syria.

   This is the first SDC's declared visit to Syria's capital, which
   indicates the interest of Kurdish authorities to open channels of
   communication with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as they seek a
   political accord to preserves their region's autonomy within Syria.

   The meetings were expected to primarily discuss services in the
   Kurdish-controlled areas, but Darar said the delegation had no set
   agenda and the talks might expand to include political and security
   issues.

   The Kurdish authorities, which control about one quarter of Syria, have
   avoided conflict with Assad during the seven-year-long war and at times
   have fought common foes, including rebels that government forces are
   gradually crushing with help from Russia and Iran.