Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani stated on October 8th, 2025, that Syria cannot be governed through a centralized system and urged the PKK to withdraw from Rojava (Western Kurdistan), according to multiple reports from Rudaw English and Channel 8. Barzani conveyed this message directly to Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, emphasizing that Syria's diverse ethnic and religious groups make centralism unworkable. He also asserted that the Kurdistan Region maintains friendly relations with Turkey and believes Ankara is serious about the peace process with the PKK. In comments made during the reporting window between 4:07 PM and 4:37 PM UTC, Barzani also addressed the threat posed by armed groups operating outside state authority in Iraq, calling for them to be brought under the command of the Iraqi Armed Forces' General Commander. He criticized Baghdad's limited response to drone attacks targeting the Kurdistan Region and stressed that the region does not wish to be a source of threat to its neighbors. Barzani also expressed the need for genuine reforms by the next Iraqi government and advocated for a unified coordination model among Kurdish forces in Iraq. Furthermore, Barzani commented on the messages of Abdullah Ocalan, stating they were clear but that the PKK's current actions contradict them. He recalled advising al-Sharaa that Kurds in Syria must take ownership of their homeland and that Syria cannot be governed centrally, indicating that the Kurds have moved past internal conflict. Barzani also praised the amicable political and economic ties between the Kurdistan Region and Turkey, expressing keenness to maintain these relations and his conviction in Turkey's commitment to the peace process with the PKK, even if progress is slow. This follows previous discussions where Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa warned that Israeli actions, including the bombing of Qatar, endanger US interests and compel allies to seek alternatives. Al-Sharaa characterized the bombing of the presidential palace as a declaration of war. Additionally, a Syrian government delegation and representatives led by SDF commander Mazloum Abdi met on October 8th, 2025, to discuss potential amendments to the constitutional declaration concerning Kurdish rights and the integration of the SDF into the Syrian army, agreeing to reopen crossings in northern and eastern Syria.
