Masrour Barzani and Nawwaf Salam Stress the Need to Preserve Syria’s Security and Stability
ARK NEWS.. Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani met today, Wednesday, January 21, 2026, with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawwaf Salam, as part of Barzani’s ongoing agenda at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The meeting addressed the overall situation and recent developments in Iraq and the broader region.
Both leaders emphasized the necessity of preserving Syria’s security and stability, calling for an end to all military battles and confrontations. They stressed the importance of resolving disputes through negotiation and dialogue, while ensuring respect for the rights of the Kurdish people and all Syrian components.
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At the Direction of President Barzani, Barzani Charity Foundation Dispatches Its Largest Aid Convoy to Western Kurdistan
ARK News.. The Head of the Barzani Charity Foundation announced the arrival of the largest humanitarian aid convoy ever dispatched by the foundation to the regions of Western Kurdistan (Rojava), stressing that the campaign comes in direct response to the guidance of President Masoud Barzani to support and assist the people of the region.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, the Head of the Foundation, Mousa Ahmed, said the relief convoy consists of 67 trucks carrying 22 different types of essential, medical, and logistical supplies. He added that a specialized team of 150 staff members from the foundation is accompanying the convoy to provide direct field, health, and logistical services to civilians.
Ahmed emphasized that the role of the Barzani Charity Foundation will not be limited to the delivery of aid alone, noting that the foundation seeks to act as “a strong bridge” connecting the people of Rojava with local and international organizations and donor agencies, in order to ensure effective aid delivery and expand the scope of humanitarian assistance.
He confirmed that this convoy is the “first” in a series of upcoming humanitarian campaigns, explaining that the operation is being carried out in full coordination with the local administration in Rojava to guarantee that assistance reaches all cities and communities.
Concluding his remarks, Ahmed said, “The Barzani Charity Foundation will remain alongside our brothers and sisters in Rojava and will continue providing its services on a broad scale until conditions improve and stability is restored.”
He also announced that the Barzani Charity Foundation will open several offices in Kurdistan Syria in the near future.
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Kurdistan Diaspora Union Issues Urgent Appeal to Kurds Across the World
ARK News.. The Kurdistan Diaspora Union has issued an urgent and comprehensive appeal to Kurds living in all countries of the diaspora, urging them to activate diplomatic and field pressure tools to halt the attacks carried out by the Syrian government forces on the Kurdistan Syria regions and to prevent massacres against civilians.
The union emphasized that these efforts are aligned with the enduring principles of President Masoud Barzani, who consistently stresses the need to protect the Kurdish people and preserve the dignity and lives of citizens wherever they are.
In a statement, the Kurdistan Diaspora Union strongly condemned the military operations led by the Syrian army, describing them as “an overt attempt to undermine the social fabric and break the will of the Kurdish people.”
The statement stressed that these attacks represent a blatant violation of humanitarian values and international law, noting that the Kurdish people in “Rojava” have made significant sacrifices on behalf of the entire world in defeating the terrorist “ISIS” and contributing to international stability.
The union called on all patriotic Kurds in the diaspora to participate in peaceful and lawful demonstrations in major cities around the world, specifically mentioning the German cities of Cologne and Hanover, to voice the Kurdish plight to international decision-making centers.
The union also urged the international community to assume its legal and moral responsibilities and to push for political dialogue as the only alternative to the machinery of war and violence.
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Masrour Barzani and UNHCR Chief Discuss Syria’s Military Escalation and Refugee Impact
ARK News.. During his participation in the World Economic Forum in Davos, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani met today, Tuesday, January 20, 2026, with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Barham Salih.
The meeting focused on the general situation of refugees and internally displaced persons in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and the wider region. Both sides discussed the humanitarian impact of the recent military clashes and confrontations in Syria, emphasizing their negative effects on refugees and displaced families.
They also addressed the ongoing threat posed by ISIS militants and the security risks they continue to present.
The discussion concluded with mutual agreement on the urgent need to end wars and restore peace and stability across the region.
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U.S. Senator Warns of Consequences Over Continued Syrian Military Operations Toward Raqqa
ARK News.. A U.S. senator has warned of the repercussions of continued military operations carried out by Syrian government forces toward the city of Raqqa, stressing that Damascus is not heeding U.S. warnings.
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said in a statement that Syrian government forces are continuing their attacks toward Raqqa, noting that the continuation of these operations would be met with the imposition of severe sanctions on Syria.
Graham added that pressing ahead with the attacks would lead to a deterioration in relations between Washington and Damascus, holding the Syrian government responsible for any escalation that may occur in bilateral relations.
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United Nations: Thousands of Civilians Displaced in Northeastern Syria Due to Military Escalation
ARK News.. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has announced that thousands of civilians have been displaced in northeastern Syria as a result of the recent military escalation.
In a statement released on Tuesday, January 20, UNHCR said it is continuing efforts to deliver humanitarian assistance and essential supplies to displaced families, seeking to ensure that aid reaches them in an appropriate manner amid deteriorating conditions on the ground.
According to the agency, despite the existence of ceasefire agreements, tensions remain at their peak, with violent clashes continuing between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian army across several fronts.
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The Kurdish National Council emphasizes the need to protect civil peace and prevent the region from sliding into chaos.
ARK News.. The Kurdish National Council in Syria is following with deep concern the dangerous military escalation around the city of Hasaka and in several Kurdish areas. This escalation is accompanied by military movements that threaten civilian security and may bring back the specter of armed clashes to places long suffering from war and its aftermath.
The Council warns of the danger of a new phase of escalation on the ground. Such developments pose serious risks to civilian lives, social cohesion, and the region's fragile stability. The Council stresses that weapons cannot replace a political solution and will not ensure lasting security or protect rights.
Calling on all parties to exercise restraint and immediately halt the escalation, the Council stresses that protecting the people of the region, preserving their dignity, and preventing their areas from being turned into battlefields must be an absolute priority that takes precedence over all other considerations.
The Kurdish National Council warns that continued military advances will only widen the circle of tension, create widespread popular discontent, and a slide towards dangerous scenarios that are difficult to contain, with serious repercussions for civil peace and stability in the region as a whole, undermining any genuine opportunity to reach a sustainable political solution.
The Council also stresses that any arrangements or understandings regarding the future of the Kurdish regions cannot be solely security or military in nature, but must be based on a clear political process that guarantees the legitimate national rights of the Kurdish people constitutionally and establishes a genuine national partnership within a democratic and pluralistic Syria.
The Kurdish National Council affirms its full readiness to assume its national and political role and to contribute positively to any process aimed at:
1-Establishing real, not temporary, stability.
2-Guaranteeing the legitimate national rights of the Kurdish people constitutionally.
3-Strengthening Kurdish unity and joint action. 4-Protecting civil peace and preventing the region from sliding into chaos.
The Council also calls on the United States of America, the international community, the United Nations, and all concerned parties to shoulder their moral and political responsibilities, take urgent action to prevent escalation, protect civilians, lift the siege on the city of Kobani, ensure the supply of water and electricity, and prepare the ground for a serious and comprehensive political dialogue that will spare the region further bloodshed and suffering.
The Kurdish National Council in Syria
Qamishlo – January 20, 2026
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U.S. Sends Firm Message to al-Sharaa Regarding the Kurds
ARK News.. The U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee has sent a direct and firm message to Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, stressing that the Kurdish people are a strategic partner and a steadfast ally of the United States, and urging the Syrian government to choose the path of reconstruction and dialogue rather than military confrontation.
In a statement published on its official X account, the committee—representing the majority in the House of Representatives—said: “The Kurdish people have long struggled for a better future for Syria and have consistently been steadfast and loyal partners of the United States of America.”
The statement included a clear warning to the Syrian president, noting that “the time has come for al-Sharaa to follow the example of the Kurds and work for the future of his country, instead of waging wars against the Kurdish people.”
The committee also expressed its full support for the position announced by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), as articulated by its commander, General Brad Cooper, who called on the Syrian army to immediately halt all attacks and military movements in areas between Aleppo and Tabqa.
The committee emphasized the need to prioritize dialogue and negotiations among all Syrian parties to prevent further escalation, stressing that political solutions remain the only viable path to ensuring Syria’s stability and future.
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President Barzani Hosts Thomas Barrack, Mohammed Ismail, and Mazloum Abdi
ARK News.. President Masoud Barzani on Saturday, January 17, 2026, hosted an important meeting in Pirmam that brought together Ambassador Thomas Barrack, the U.S. President’s Special Envoy for Syrian Affairs; Wendy Grene, the U.S. Consul General in Erbil; General Kevin Lambert, Commander of U.S. Forces in Syria; Colonel Zakaria Kork; General Mazloum Abdi, Commander-in-Chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF); and Mohammed Ismail, President of the Kurdish National Council in Syria.
During the meeting, President Barzani warmly welcomed all participants and expressed his appreciation for their responsiveness and attendance, stressing that the purpose of the meeting was to promote peace and prevent the continuation of violence amid the current sensitive circumstances. He also emphasized the importance and necessity of dialogue, stability, and coexistence in a new Syria.
For his part, Ambassador Thomas Barrack, on behalf of the United States, conveyed his gratitude and appreciation to President Barzani for hosting and organizing the meeting, as well as for his continued support.
The participants then exchanged views and perspectives on a number of issues and highlighted a set of practical steps aimed at achieving stability
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Zakharova: Moscow Concerned Over Recent Developments in Aleppo
ARK News.. The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed Moscow’s deep concern over recent developments in the Syrian city of Aleppo, particularly reports of civilian casualties in predominantly Kurdish neighborhoods.
Speaking to Kurdistan24, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said, “Russia is extremely concerned about reports of deaths and injuries among civilians in Aleppo’s Ashrafiya and Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhoods,” stressing that “the attacks in Aleppo are unacceptable under any circumstances.”
Zakharova noted that Moscow has been closely monitoring the situation since the beginning of the month, following tensions and military clashes between the Syrian Arab Army and internal security forces in the mentioned neighborhoods, emphasizing the need to ensure the full safety and protection of civilians.
She added, “We reiterate that establishing peace and stability in Syria can only be achieved through an inclusive national dialogue, based on preserving the national charter and guaranteeing the rights and aspirations of all components and ethnic groups in Syrian society.”
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