Macron meets Syria's al-Sharaa: Talks on SDF, sanctions, and stability

Following a meeting between French President Emmanuel Macron and the head of the Damascus authority, Ahmad Al-Sharaa, at the Élysée Palace, a press conference was held outlining the main topics discussed. Significant messages were exchanged that reflect France's vision for Syria.

President Macron announced France's intention to strengthen cooperation with Syria in combating ISIS mercenaries, support Syrians in stabilizing the country, and reinforce French presence in the SDF-held areas to aid in the fight against ISIS.

He confirmed that he had proposed cooperation between the Damascus authority and the SDF, highlighting the vital role the SDF played in countering ISIS. Macron stressed that the ISIS threat poses a danger to international security and warrants continued efforts to defeat it.

The French president also reiterated his country’s support for the implementation of agreements between the SDF and the Damascus authority and extended thanks to the SDF leadership.

In his remarks, Macron noted France's aim to gradually lift sanctions on Syria, urging Washington to take similar steps to support economic recovery and restore stability. He said: “It is in everyone’s interest today, including the Americans, to join us in lifting sanctions on the Syrian people and to delay the withdrawal of these forces from Syria as much as possible,” adding that this depends on Damascus achieving stability.

Macron also called on Al-Sharaa to ensure accountability and prosecution of those responsible for recent sectarian violence against the Druze community, as well as the perpetrators of massacres against Alawites in March. He urged the European Union to impose systematic sanctions on those responsible for such crimes in Syria.

Regarding Israeli airstrikes in Syria, Macron stated: “As for bombing and incursions, I believe these are bad practices. It is impossible to ensure the security of one country by violating the territorial integrity of a neighboring one.”

For his part, Al-Sharaa stated that the Syrian people are determined to rebuild after the war and praised France for being one of the first countries to refuse to deal with the former regime. He noted that future cooperation with France could include the areas of security, justice, and reconstruction.

In a separate context, Al-Sharaa expressed Syria’s strong rejection of recent Israeli airstrikes, confirming that there are indirect talks with Israel to de-escalate the situation in the region.

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ANHA