The representative of the Kurdish self-administration in the Syrian capital, Abdul Karim Omar, told Agence France-Presse on Tuesday that negotiations with Damascus have “completely collapsed,” following a meeting between President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander Mazloum Abdi, shortly after an agreement announcing a ceasefire.

Omar said the talks held by the two men in Damascus on Monday on the mechanism for implementing the agreement had “completely collapsed,” adding that the authorities’ only demand was the “unconditional surrender” of the Kurdish forces.

Al-Sharaa announced on Sunday, after meeting with U.S. envoy Tom Barrack, that an agreement had been reached with the Kurds, including a ceasefire after nearly two weeks of escalation and the full integration of self-administration institutions into the state framework. Abdi later said he accepted the deal to stop a war “imposed” on the Kurds.


“Never abandon”
In this context, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) pledged “never to abandon” the Syrian Kurds in the face of Syrian army operations, according to senior military wing official Murat Karayilan, as quoted by the party-affiliated Firat News Agency.

Addressing Syrian Kurds, Karayilan said: “Know that we will never abandon you. Whatever it takes, we will not leave you alone. In this process, we will do whatever is necessary, as the entire Kurdish people and movement.”

He added: “These attacks on Kurdish-led Rojava (the self-declared autonomous administration in northeastern Syria) target not only the region but all of Kurdistan,” condemning what he described as an attempt to undermine the peace path launched by leader Abdullah Öcalan - known to his supporters as “Apo” - who has been imprisoned in Turkey since 1999.

Meanwhile, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said Turkey “will not accept any provocation” amid demonstrations by Kurdish-supportive parties and movements protesting the Damascus authorities’ operation against Kurdish forces in northeastern Syria.

Yerlikaya told reporters: “We are closely monitoring the latest developments in Syria and all activities along our borders,” adding: “We will not allow any attempt at provocation or manipulation of public opinion aimed at disturbing peace in our country.”

Syrian security forces in Raqqa (AFP).