High-stakes negotiations between the Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have ground to a halt, plunging the fragile peace process into uncertainty. The immediate cause for the suspension is Damascus's rejection of a planned round of talks in Paris, with the government now insisting that any future dialogue must take place in the Syrian capital, leaving the timeline and location for a resumption of talks in limbo.
The suspension was confirmed by Sanharib Barsoum, a member of the negotiating delegation for the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES). In a report published by Enab Baladi on August 23, Barsoum stated that the Paris round was officially cancelled with no new date set. Speaking to the Rudaw news agency, he noted that while a landmark agreement signed on March 10 provided a framework for implementation by the end of the year, these delays could obstruct its provisions. However, Barsoum stressed that extending negotiations would not be critical "as long as the process leads to solutions beneficial for Syrians."
At the heart of the impasse lie fundamental disagreements over the future of Syria's governance. According to Barsoum, Damascus has consistently pushed for the complete dissolution of all civilian, security, and military institutions established by the AANES over the past decade. In contrast, the AANES has proposed a model of integration, where its structures would be merged into the national framework while preserving their local autonomy and character.
The most contentious issue remains the political system itself. The AANES has firmly rejected a return to the highly centralized rule that defined pre-war Syria, as well as the limited administrative decentralization offered under the old Law 107. Instead, it is demanding a new political model that grants broad powers to local administrations, including the right for citizens to elect their own representatives. Barsoum emphasized that the AANES model, which has been in place for over ten years, is not on the table for abandonment, although it could be further developed.
The stalled talks jeopardize the critical March 10 Agreement, which outlined eight key provisions for a national settlement. These included a nationwide ceasefire, the constitutional recognition of the Kurdish community's rights, and a plan for integrating northeastern Syria's institutions—including vital border crossings and oil fields—into the Syrian state. Tensions escalated recently after the AANES-backed "Unity of Position" conference called for a new democratic and decentralized constitution. Damascus viewed this as a violation of the agreement, suspending talks and accusing the SDF of promoting a "divisive approach" and "demographic change," cementing its demand that all dialogue be relocated to its seat of power.