Rival Syrian Kurdish parties are expected to resume US-backed “unity talks” this week, but prospects of a deal seem more elusive than ever despite initial progress, sources with knowledge of the negotiations say.

Mazlum Kobane, the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) who together with the State Department is moderating the talks, urged the sides to come together in a Jan. 31 tweet. Kobane said, “Our goal is the success of the dialogue. The agreements we reached are important and protect our people’s interests. It is everyone’s duty to prepare for the new stage of unity."

The talks between the Democratic Unity Party (PYD), which shares power in the Syrian Kurds’ autonomous administration, and opposition parties assembled under the umbrella of the Kurdish National Council (KNC), some with links to Turkey, have been frozen since October.

There are multiple explanations for the pause amid persistent rumors that they had collapsed altogether. Some say it’s because the US diplomat who moderated the talks left northeast Syria and that ambassador Jim Jeffrey, the former Syria envoy under the Donald Trump administration, and his deputy William Roebuck both retired. Now that Roebuck’s replacement David Brownstein is on the ground, however, the talks can restart — in theory.