Negotiations between Syria’s Kurds and the central authorities have “completely collapsed,” a Kurdish official told Agence France-Presse today, as the Syrian army concentrates reinforcements opposite the autonomous Kurdish regions in northeastern Syria.

Kurdish leader Mazloum Abdi and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa met last night, Monday evening, in Damascus to discuss the implementation of their agreement, announced yesterday, concerning the integration of Kurdish political and military institutions into the structures of the state.

“The negotiations that took place yesterday in Damascus have completely collapsed. The only demand (of the Syrian authorities) is unconditional surrender,” said Abdel Karim Omar, representative of the autonomous Kurdish administration in Damascus.

He called on the international community to urgently take “a firm and decisive stance” in support of Syria’s Kurds.

The Syrian president, determined to extend his authority across the entire country, announced on Sunday an agreement providing for a ceasefire and the integration of Kurdish political and military administrations into state institutions.

Following this announcement, the Syrian army deployed to areas of eastern and northern Syria, mainly in the provinces of Raqqa and Deir Ezzor, from which Kurdish forces withdrew.

During the civil war (2011–2024), the Kurds had established an autonomous zone in northern and northeastern Syria.

Today, an AFP correspondent in Raqqa saw a large convoy of armored vehicles and troop carriers heading toward the Kurdish stronghold of Hasakah, in the autonomous zone.

For their part, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) issued a call to “young Kurds, men and women,” in Syria and abroad, “to join the ranks of the resistance.”

In the city of Hasakah, the capital of the autonomous province of the same name, an AFP correspondent saw dozens of civilians, including women and elderly people, carrying weapons following an appeal by the SDF, which have set up checkpoints and are conducting patrols.

The Kurds are spread across four countries in the region: Syria, Turkey, Iraq, and Iran.

Warnings from Turkey

Turkey “will not tolerate any provocation” that could disrupt peace on its territory, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya warned today, referring to demonstrations organized by pro-Kurdish parties and movements against the offensive launched by Damascus in northeastern Syria.

“We are closely and very carefully monitoring the recent developments in Syria and all activities along our borders (…) I want to reiterate that we will not tolerate any attempt, provocation, or operation to manipulate public opinion aimed at disturbing peace in our country,” the minister told journalists.

Meanwhile, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) vowed that it “will never abandon” the Kurds of Syria, who are facing an attack by the Syrian army, a senior PKK official, Murat Karayilan, told the PKK-affiliated ANF news agency today.

“Know that we will never abandon you. Whatever the cost, we will never leave you alone. In this process, we, the entire Kurdish people and the movement, will do whatever is necessary,” he said, addressing the Kurds of Syria.