Delegations of high-ranking diplomats and military personnel from the United States, Turkey and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are holding talks to resolve the conflict in Syria. The new authorities in Damascus are demanding the Kurdish militia to lay down their arms and abandon plans to create their own national autonomy.

According to Al-Arabiya, the talks should pave the way for an agreement under which the Kurds will leave a number of territories in northeastern Syria. At the same time, part of the militia will come under the control of the new Ministry of Defense, led by former militants of the so-called "armed opposition".

SDF commander Mazlum Abdi commented on the progress of the talks and voiced a number of demands from the Kurdish formations. The SDF alliance is demanding decentralization of governance and partial federalization of the country. This position contradicts the policy of the new authorities in Damascus, who advocate the re-creation of a single unitary Syria.

Abdi indicated that the SDF does not intend to disarm, but at the same time, they are open to contacting the Ministry of Defense in Damascus and forming a military alliance. According to the commander, the SDF has 250,000 troops, including fighters from the regular army, police units and militias. The new "defense minister" of Syria Murhaf Abu Qasra rejected this approach, rejecting the idea of preserving the SDF as a single force.

Damascus advocates for all armed groups to be integrated into the official Syrian forces under a single command.

The level of autonomy the Kurdish groups will keep will likely depend on whether the new US President Donald Trump continues to support the Kurdish allies.

Trump has not publicly spoken about his intentions, including plans to deploy about 2,000 American troops in Syria.

Turkey's position, which opposes the existence of the SDF and the Kurdish militia, also influences the situation in Syria.

A source in the Turkish Foreign Ministry told Al-Arabiya that the disarmament of armed groups and the withdrawal of "foreign terrorist fighters" are important for the stability and territorial integrity of Syria. Besides, Turkey retains the right to conduct a military operation in the neighboring country.