The Co-Chair of the Department of Foreign Relations in the Autonomous Administration, Ilham Ahmed, held a series of meetings and discussions with European officials over the past few days, addressing the latest political and humanitarian developments in North and East Syria and ways to support stability in the region, according to statements issued by the Department of Foreign Relations of the Autonomous Administration.
On 25 February 2026, Ahmad, alongside the commander of the Women’s Protection Units, Rohilat Afrin, held a meeting with a delegation from the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, which included Jean-François Guillaume, the French Special Envoy to Syria; Romaric Rouynan, Head of the Middle East and North Africa desk; and Conant Jantan, Adviser for Middle East and North Africa Affairs at the French Foreign Ministry.
The statement indicated that the two sides discussed the latest developments in North and East Syria during the meeting, including broader political developments and the challenges of the current phase, in addition to ways to enhance stability in the region. Emphasis was also placed on the importance of establishing an effective international monitoring mechanism to follow up on the integration process between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian Interim Government, in a manner that guarantees the political, cultural, and civil rights of the Kurdish people and protects all components from any potential violations.
The statement explained that the meeting also addressed the humanitarian situation in Kobani, the issue of the return of displaced persons, and the need for greater international support to improve basic services, rehabilitate infrastructure, and provide a safe environment that would allow residents to return to their areas. The French delegation also expressed its country’s interest in following developments in North and East Syria and supporting efforts aimed at achieving a comprehensive and sustainable political solution. Ahmad, for her part, stressed the importance of France’s role in supporting stability, protecting the rights of the Kurdish people and women, and strengthening the Syrian–Syrian dialogue process.
In a related context, Ahmad held two separate meetings on 27 February 2026; the first with Mani Hussaini, a member of the Norwegian Parliament, and the second with Åsmund Aukrust, Norway’s Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, in the presence of Martin Kolberg, responsible for the Middle East file; Anne Kirsti Amundsen, Syria Coordinator in the Middle East and North Africa Department; and Dag Nagoda, Senior Adviser in the department (Syria and Lebanon Office).
The Department of Foreign Relations explained that the meetings discussed the latest developments in the region, including the humanitarian situation in Kobani and the issue of the return of displaced persons, in addition to broader political developments. According to the statement, the Norwegian delegation also put forward a proposal to establish an effective international monitoring mechanism to follow up on the integration process between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian Interim Government, in a way that guarantees the political, cultural, and civil rights of the Kurdish people, protects the various components from any violations, and contributes to strengthening the path toward a comprehensive political solution.
Ahmad also held two separate meetings at the European Parliament on 26 February 2026, alongside Rohilat Afrin, with Hannah Neumann, the Greens Party coordinator in the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament, and Michael Gahler, the representative of the European People’s Party in the same committee.
The statement noted that the two sides discussed the latest developments in the region during both meetings, while emphasizing the importance of establishing an effective international monitoring mechanism to follow up on the integration process between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian Interim Government, in a manner that guarantees the political, cultural, and civil rights of the Kurdish people, prevents any violations against the region’s components, and strengthens the paths toward a political solution.
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