[85339] Syrian Democratic Forces Commander Mazloum Abdi met with American representatives and officials in Iraqi Kurdistan

High-level political meetings in Erbil

Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Commander Mazloum Abdi arrived today (June 16, 2026) in the city of Erbil (Hawler) in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq for a series of political and security meetings.

According to a report by the channel ANHA Türkçe, which is affiliated with political positions close to the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, Abdi is expected to hold a meeting with the U.S. Special Envoy for Syria, Tom Barak. The report in ANHA Türkçe emphasizes the importance of American-Kurdish coordination in the region.

At the same time, the channel Rojava Gündemi reported that the meetings are expected to include the President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani. According to Rojava Gündemi, which focuses on Middle East news and the Kurdish sphere, these are "tripartite meetings" involving Tom Barak in his expanded role as special envoy for both Syria and Iraq.

Abdi's arrival in the region is seen as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to preserve stability in northern Syria and neighboring areas, given the continued American involvement in the region and the need for close coordination with the Kurdish leadership in Iraq.