President Nechirvan Barzani: Efforts to Halt Aleppo Violence Are Ongoing

President Nechirvan Barzani: Efforts to Halt Aleppo Violence Are Ongoing

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani revealed on Wednesday that the regional leadership has been deeply involved in diplomatic efforts to stop the recent outbreak of violence between Kurdish forces and the Syrian army in Aleppo. The President emphasized that Erbil has worked to mediate between the warring parties since the first day of the clashes to prevent further bloodshed.

The conflict, which erupted on January 6 in the Kurdish-majority districts of Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafiyeh, resulted in a week of intense urban warfare. According to humanitarian reports, the fighting led to dozens of casualties and forced approximately 150,000 residents to flee their homes.

During a meeting with the French Ambassador to Iraq, Patrick Durel, in Erbil, President Nechirvan Barzani reiterated the Kurdistan Region’s unwavering support for the rights of Kurds and all ethnic components in Syria. "From the beginning of the events in Aleppo, we have worked with all sides to stop the fighting and preserve stability," the President stated, confirming that de-escalation remains a top priority for the Region's leadership.

High-Level Diplomacy and Humanitarian Concerns

In parallel, President Masoud Barzani has been conducting intensive diplomatic outreach to safeguard the lives of civilians in northern Syria. The Kurdish leader held high-level telephone discussions with Syria’s interim President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, and the US Special Envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack, to address the crisis.

During these calls, President Masoud Barzani underscored that the rights of Kurds in Syria must be respected and protected. He had previously issued a stern warning regarding the "danger of ethnic cleansing" targeting the Kurdish population in Aleppo, urging the international community and the Damascus authorities to ensure that political disputes do not devolve into ethnic conflict.

President al-Sharaa reportedly assured the Kurdish leader that the Syrian state recognizes Kurds as an "indigenous and fundamental component" of the nation and pledged to protect their civil and political rights.

International Mediation and Current Status

The crisis in Aleppo saw significant involvement from international powers, with France and the United States playing key roles in brokering a fragile ceasefire. Despite these efforts, the intensity of the siege and five days of heavy bombardment eventually led to a negotiated withdrawal of Kurdish fighters from the contested neighborhoods.

Under the terms of the agreement, which was finalized on January 11, Kurdish internal security forces (Asayish) and fighters were evacuated via buses to Kurdish-controlled areas in northeastern Syria. While the immediate combat has subsided, the Kurdistan Region’s leadership continues to monitor the situation closely, advocating for a permanent political solution that guarantees the safety and heritage of the Kurdish people in Syria.