A delegation from Syria’s tolerated domestic opposition made a rare visit to the Kurdish region Saturday after the president threatened to use force to retake areas held by the Kurds.
The Kurds, whose militia spearhead an anti-militant force backed by a U.S.-led coalition, have long pushed for increased autonomy in oil-rich northeastern Syria.
The delegation will meet officials from different political parties in the town of Qamishli.
“The delegation is trying to play the role of mediator between the autonomous region and Kurdish parties on one side and the Syrian regime on the other,” the official said. On Thursday, President Bashar Assad warned U.S.-backed Kurdish forces he would not hesitate to use force to retake the third of the country they control if negotiations failed. Damascus recognizes several political parties that describe themselves as the domestic opposition, but opposition politicians in exile accuse them of being a mere extension of the regime
