France looks to the future of Syria’s fight against terror group

France’s foreign minister has said the fight against Daesh – sometimes called ISIS or ISIL – remains a central priority for Paris, following talks with Syria’s new leadership in Damascus amid growing concern over militant resurgence, as reported on February 5 by Arab News.

Jean-Noël Barrot made the remarks after meeting Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani on February 5, as France reassesses its strategy following the disbandment of Kurdish-led forces that had been guarding detained Daesh fighters in northern Syria.

The visit comes at a sensitive moment, with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) set to integrate into the Syrian army after coming under pressure from Damascus, raising fears of security gaps that could allow Daesh to regroup. “For a decade, France has fought Daesh relentlessly in both Syria and Iraq,” Barrot said, adding that countering the group remains an “absolute priority” for Paris.

Barrot’s stop in Damascus marks the first leg of a regional tour that will also take him to Iraq later on February 5 and Lebanon on February 6, according to the French foreign ministry.

French officials say Western powers now face the challenge of working directly with Syria’s government to contain the threat posed by Daesh — a shift from previous reliance on Kurdish forces as key partners on the ground. “This trip reflects the convergence of two crises,” a French diplomatic source told AFP, pointing to recent clashes between Syrian authorities and Kurdish forces in the northeast, alongside the persistent risk of wider regional escalation involving the United States and Iran.

The source acknowledged that cooperation with Damascus presents difficulties, citing a lack of trust and shared experience with Syria’s new leadership under President Ahmed Al-Sharaa. Sharaa, who ousted longtime ruler Bashar Assad in December 2024, has been seeking to reassert state control across the country, including in areas formerly held by Kurdish forces.

Beyond security concerns, Barrot’s discussions are also expected to focus on the integration of Syria’s ethnic and religious minorities into the country’s emerging political order. France has positioned itself as a vocal supporter of Kurdish rights and is pressing Damascus to honour an agreement aimed at incorporating Kurdish institutions and forces into the Syrian state.

Arab News via AFP, Maghrebi.org