Syria Withdraws from Paris SDF Integration Talks

The Syrian government has withdrawn from planned Paris talks on integrating the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the Syrian state, demanding that any future negotiations take place in Damascus. The withdrawal follows a conference organized by the Kurdish administration and minority groups calling for a decentralized Syrian state, which Damascus sees as a violation of a March integration deal. Syrian officials have condemned the involvement of 'separatist' figures and accused the SDF of seeking foreign intervention and undermining national sovereignty. The government insists that Syria's structure should be decided by national referendum, not by external or factional influence. These developments cast doubt on the March agreement aimed at unifying Syria and complicate efforts to merge Kurdish-led forces with state institutions. Damascus has reiterated its refusal to negotiate with any group it sees as threatening Syrian unity or sovereignty.