Speaking to CNN Türk, Barrack stated, “There will be no independent Kurdistan,” dismissing any intentions by the United States to support a separate political entity led by the SDF in northeastern Syria. He emphasized that the SDF is regarded by many in the US as a partner in the fight against ISIS, but that partnership does not extend to endorsing statehood.

Barrack further noted that the SDF’s ties to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) remain a concern, adding that no ethnically based military formations—such as “Druze troops in Kurdish uniform”—would be acceptable as the basis for governance.

Damascus Dialogue Remains Stalled

In a separate interview with the Associated Press after meeting Syrian President Ahmad Shar’a in Damascus, Barrack acknowledged that disputes between the SDF and the Syrian government persist, particularly over the future status of SDF-held territories.

He praised what he described as “good options” proposed by Damascus to the SDF and asserted that “the only path forward for the SDF is the road to Damascus.” Barrack dismissed federalism as unworkable in the Syrian context and called for gradual trust-building between the sides following years of hostility.

Syrian state media reported earlier that the government is open to talks with the SDF aimed at preserving Syria’s territorial unity, though serious obstacles remain on governance models.