Syrian president meets SDF commander, autonomous administration official in Damascus

DAMASCUS, Syria — Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met Syrian Democratic Forces commander Mazloum Abdi and Ilham Ahmed, co-chair of the Foreign Relations Department of the Democratic Autonomous Administration, in Damascus on Wednesday, according to reports. The talks focused on recent regional developments and the current situation, with both sides also discussing shared files and outstanding issues between the Syrian government and the SDF. The Syrian Democratic Forces operate primarily in northeastern Syria and are known as a military formation composed largely of Kurdish elements. The Democratic Autonomous Administration is considered the political wing of the SDF. Contacts between the Syrian administration and the SDF are closely watched because of their implications for security arrangements and governance in Syria. No further details on the outcomes of the meeting were immediately available.