The Syrian government aims to establish control over the Kurdish-held northeast through peaceful negotiations rather than military action, Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra told The Washington Post in an interview published on Thursday.

“The military solution will cause bloodshed on both sides,” Abu Qasra stated. “According to our assessment, the solution will be peaceful. We are not inclined toward a military solution.”

The interim Syrian government is currently in talks with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) regarding the future governance of Rojava, the autonomous region controlled by the SDF. Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa recently claimed that Kurdish authorities have agreed to restrict weapons to state forces, but key disagreements remain.

Tensions between Kurdish leaders and the new Syrian government persist. The Kurdish administration criticized a recent conference in Damascus, claiming that individuals accused of human rights violations against Kurds, including the murder of a female politician, were in attendance.

SDF commander Mazloum Abdi has stated that the future of Syria must be “decentralized, secular… based on democracy that preserves the rights of all its components.”

Kurds in Syria have long faced systematic discrimination under the Baathist regime. During the civil war, they established an autonomous administration that gained international recognition, particularly for promoting women's rights. The SDF also played a crucial role in the fight against ISIS, forming alliances with global powers. Currently, around 2,000 U.S. troops remain stationed in SDF-controlled areas.

Abu Qasra confirmed that the presence of U.S. forces in Syria is "under negotiation." He indicated that discussions between the United States and the new Syrian government could take time, as many had anticipated a shift in policy with Donald Trump’s return to power. Speculation suggests that Trump may soon decide on the status of U.S. troops in Syria.

In addition to negotiations with the U.S., Syria is also in talks with Turkey regarding a potential reduction or redistribution of Turkish troops stationed in northern and northwestern Syria.

Damascus has also signaled willingness to allow Russia to maintain its military presence in the country, provided that Russian bases serve Syria’s strategic interests.

"When Bashar al-Assad decided to go to Russia, he thought that it was impossible for us to reach an agreement," Abu Qasra said. “Perhaps relations with them will be restored in a way that serves Syria’s interests first and then their interests.”

Russia, a key ally of the Assad regime, provided extensive military support to Damascus during Syria’s civil war. However, the conflict ultimately led to Assad’s ousting, with the new Syrian government now led by opposition forces, including Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

“In politics, there are no permanent enemies,” Abu Qasra remarked.

A Russian delegation, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, held talks with President Sharaa on January 28. According to Russian state news agency TASS, Bogdanov expressed gratitude that Russian personnel and facilities in Syria remained unharmed during recent political upheavals.

Under Assad’s rule, Russia operated the Hmeimim airbase in Latakia and the Tartus naval base on Syria’s Mediterranean coast. The future of these bases remains a subject of ongoing negotiations.