An explosion shook the Al-Sabina Mills area in Damascus, Syria, earlier on October 8th, 2025, with high smoke pillars observed at the site, according to NAYA reports published between 4:37 PM and 5:37 PM UTC. The cause and any potential casualties or damage resulting from the incident remain unconfirmed within this reporting period. During this same period, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani urged Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa that Syria cannot be governed through a centralized system and that the PKK should withdraw from Rojava. Barzani made these remarks emphasizing that Syria's diverse ethnic and religious groups make centralism unworkable. He also stated that the Kurdistan Region maintains friendly relations with Turkey and believes Ankara is serious about the peace process with the PKK. These developments follow statements made by Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa earlier on October 8th, 2025, warning that recent 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 and emphasized the need for borders and international standards to be respected. Additionally, on October 8th, 2025, a Syrian government delegation and representatives led by SDF commander Mazloum Abdi met to discuss potential amendments to the constitutional declaration concerning Kurdish rights and the integration of the SDF into the Syrian army. Both parties agreed to reopen crossings in northern and eastern Syria, according to Al-Hadath. President Barzani also commented on messages attributed to 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.
