Syrian Kurdish commander, US envoy to meet in Erbil

ERBIL, Iraq — Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander Mazlum Abdi is expected to meet US Special Envoy for Syria and Iraq Tom Barrack in Erbil, according to SDF sources. The talks come as a Kurdistan National Congress delegation arrived in the Kurdistan Region, overlapping with Abdi's visit. Abdi, who reached the Kurdistan Region on Thursday, is also expected to meet with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani. The agenda is set to include the integration process between the SDF and the Damascus government and the provisions of the agreement signed on January 29, 2026, the sources said. Separately, members of the Kurdistan National Congress co-presidency also arrived in Erbil on Thursday. The delegation is expected to hold meetings with regional officials over the next two days before returning to Syria to prepare for the congress, the sources added. Barrack arrived in Erbil on Friday midday and met with Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, according to the same sources. The envoy began a visit to Baghdad on Thursday, where he met Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zidi to discuss bilateral relations and shared issues.