Maryam Ibrahim, spokeswoman for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) delegation negotiating with Damascus, announced on January 2, 2026, that a meeting scheduled last week between SDF leader Mazloum Abdi and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa was postponed for technical reasons, with a new date expected within the next ten days, according to Rudaw reporting an X post within the 29-minute period ending at 7:15 PM UTC. Ibrahim confirmed the negotiations focus on the military file of the March 10 Agreement, specifying SDF integration into the Syrian army structure through three military divisions, an anti-terrorism brigade, and a women’s brigade, while temporarily preserving the specificity of the Women’s Protection Units, as stated in the Rudaw report. She added that the SDF will protect northern and eastern Syria and the Syrian army will not enter the region, as the SDF becomes part of the army, providing official legitimacy, according to the source. Ibrahim described the negotiation atmosphere as positive, noting Damascus understands decentralization demands are not separatist but part of a decentralized, democratic Syria project. She highlighted recent flexibility from Türkiye with open communication channels to support Syria's stability, warning of ongoing conflict without regional cooperation, per Rudaw.
