Iraqi Kurdish Leader Barzani Visits Damascus in First Such Trip Since Assad's Fall

Nechirvan Barzani, president of Iraq's Kurdistan Region, met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at Damascus's People's Palace on August 3, 2026 — the first visit by a Kurdish leader to Syria since Bashar al-Assad's fall. The two had met previously at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. SANA reported discussions covered bilateral relations, economic cooperation, and regional issues.