Trump and Sharaa discuss protection of Kurdish rights via phone

DAMASCUS: The Syrian Presidential Palace has announced that Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and U.S. President Donald Trump have discussed the protection of Kurdish rights via phone. According to a report from the French Press Agency, the discussions took place after Damascus reached an agreement with Kurdish forces that includes a ceasefire. Sharaa also spoke about the agreement during a meeting with Mazloum Abdi, the leader of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. The agreement addresses the integration of Kurdish administration within the framework of Syria’s government structure. However, a Kurdish source familiar with the details of the negotiations told AFP that the atmosphere of the talks was not positive. The Syrian Presidential Palace stated that during the phone call between Sharaa and Trump, they emphasized the “need to guarantee and protect the rights of the Kurdish people within the framework of the Syrian state.” Both sides also highlighted the importance of maintaining “the unity and sovereignty of Syrian territory” and discussed “cooperation” against the ISIS group. Despite the announcement of a ceasefire, there have been short-lived clashes in Raqqa city, accompanied by sounds of heavy bombings. Fighting between Kurdish and Syrian government forces has raised security concerns, causing civilian displacement from their areas.