Nechirvan Barzani meets Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara in Damascus

On a visit to Damascus at the invitation of Syrian President Ahmed al‑Shara, Nechirvan Barzani, president of the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government, held talks with the Syrian head of state. The meeting covered political, security and economic cooperation and aimed to deepen ties among Syria, Iraq and the Kurdish region. Barzani was invited to also visit Baghdad and Erbil, and discussions included the possible opening of a Syrian consulate in Erbil. Syrian Democratic Forces commander Mazlum Abdi was reported to attend the talks, underscoring the broader regional dimension. The ceremony featured joint display of Syrian and Kurdish flags and was described by officials as a step toward a new phase in bilateral relations.