Masoud Barzani

On Saturday, 17 December 2026, President Masoud Barzani hosted the United States Special Envoy to Syria, Ambassador Thomas J. Barrak; Mazloum Abdi, Commander-in-Chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF); and Mohammed Ismail, leader of the Syrian Kurdish National Council (ENKS/ANKS).

The meeting was also attended by the United States Consul General in Erbil, Ms. Windy Green; the Commander of U.S. Forces in Syria, General Kevin Lambert; and Colonel Zachariah Cork.

President Barzani welcomed the participants and expressed his appreciation for their presence under the current circumstances, emphasizing the importance of peace and the prevention of violence. He stressed the significance of dialogue, stability, and coexistence in the context of the new Syria.

On behalf of the United States, Ambassador Tom Barrak thanked President Barzani for his hospitality and for his continued support.

During the meeting, the participants exchanged views on a number of issues and discussed several practical steps aimed at promoting stability.