France's foreign minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, has declared the fight against the Islamic State (IS) group to be an "absolute priority" for Paris, following a meeting with his Syrian counterpart in Damascus. This statement comes as France reassesses its approach to tackling jihadists after Kurdish allies in Syria were forced to disband under pressure from Damascus.
The decision is part of a broader regional tour by Barrot, who will also visit Iraq and Lebanon. His meetings with Syrian officials aim to prevent the resurgence of IS fighters in northern Syria, where Kurdish forces had been guarding detained militants before being disbanded.
Barrot acknowledged France's long-standing commitment to fighting Daesh, saying, "For 10 years, we have fought relentlessly against the terrorists of Daesh in Iraq and Syria." He reiterated France's priority on countering the threat posed by IS, emphasizing the need for cooperation with the Syrian government to prevent a resurgence.
However, Western powers are struggling to adapt to the changing dynamics in Syria. The recent clashes between Damascus and Kurdish-dominated forces have raised concerns about a potential military escalation between the US and Iran. As a result, France is now forced to work closely with the Syrian government to contain IS, despite historical differences and mistrust.
Barrot's visit also touches on other pressing issues, including the integration of Syria's minorities into its new political landscape. France has long advocated for Kurdish rights, and the French foreign minister will push Damascus to comply with an agreement aimed at integrating Kurdish institutions and forces into the Syrian state.
This development marks a significant shift in France's approach to the region, as it seeks to navigate the complexities of the Syrian conflict and prevent IS from regrouping. With its regional tour underway, Barrot is under pressure to deliver results that address both the immediate threat posed by IS and the broader concerns about Syria's future.
The decision is part of a broader regional tour by Barrot, who will also visit Iraq and Lebanon. His meetings with Syrian officials aim to prevent the resurgence of IS fighters in northern Syria, where Kurdish forces had been guarding detained militants before being disbanded.
Barrot acknowledged France's long-standing commitment to fighting Daesh, saying, "For 10 years, we have fought relentlessly against the terrorists of Daesh in Iraq and Syria." He reiterated France's priority on countering the threat posed by IS, emphasizing the need for cooperation with the Syrian government to prevent a resurgence.
However, Western powers are struggling to adapt to the changing dynamics in Syria. The recent clashes between Damascus and Kurdish-dominated forces have raised concerns about a potential military escalation between the US and Iran. As a result, France is now forced to work closely with the Syrian government to contain IS, despite historical differences and mistrust.
Barrot's visit also touches on other pressing issues, including the integration of Syria's minorities into its new political landscape. France has long advocated for Kurdish rights, and the French foreign minister will push Damascus to comply with an agreement aimed at integrating Kurdish institutions and forces into the Syrian state.
This development marks a significant shift in France's approach to the region, as it seeks to navigate the complexities of the Syrian conflict and prevent IS from regrouping. With its regional tour underway, Barrot is under pressure to deliver results that address both the immediate threat posed by IS and the broader concerns about Syria's future.
so like france is trying to be all diplomatic with syria now but i'm lowkey worried they're gonna get caught in between iran and us 
barrot's visit is a big deal 'cause it marks a shift in france's approach to the region, but we gotta see how this plays out 
. france needs to figure out who their real allies are in syria because right now they're stuck trying to balance with both damascus and kurdish forces 
. i hope barrot can deliver some concrete results on integrating minorities into syria's new gov 'cause that's a major concern for the international community 
. France is trying to fight the good fight against ISIS, but are they really listening to the people on the ground? The Kurds were basically abandoned by the French and now they have to disband... 
It's like when you do something for someone, but in reality, it's just about how you want things to go down. We should be thinking more about the impact our actions have on others, not just what we think is right 
It's a reminder that building trust takes time and effort, but it's worth it in the end.
France's decision to work with the Syrian government on fighting Isis is like, super complicated. On one hand, it's good that they're acknowledging the threat and trying to find a way forward. But at the same time, I'm worried about them giving up too much power to Assad. I mean, didn't they just leave the Kurdish forces hanging in Syria? 
It feels like they're trading one enemy for another.
Still, if it means taking down IS and preventing a major threat, I guess it's better than nothing.
. I just hope Barrot can deliver some results on his trip and show that the international community is still committed to doing what's right. Fingers crossed! 
. We need to find a way to stabilize Syria without creating more conflict. The French foreign minister's visit is a good start, but it's going to take more than just diplomatic talks to resolve these complex issues.