Latest news with #DemocraticAutonomousAdministrationofNorthandEastSyria
Rudaw Net
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Rojava official says concerned about hate speech, treason accusations after US envoy remarks
Also in Syria Rojava administration reiterates call for 'decentralized' Syria, constitutional overhaul Rojava ruling party rejects Damascus 'integration' as bid to 'dismantle' institutions Washington prioritizing unified Syria, not Kurdish autonomy: Former US diplomat Syrian, Israeli officials meet in Baku: Sources A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A senior Kurdish-led northeast Syria (Rojava) administration official on Sunday thanked the US and France for backing Syria's political process but voiced concern over hate speech and treason accusations after Washington's envoy criticized Kurdish-led forces for slow integration and rejected federalism. 'We appreciate the continued support of United States and France for a political solution in Syria, and their contribution to bringing Syrians together. However, we view with concern the escalation of hate speech and accusations of treason by official bodies,' Elham Ahmad, foreign relations co-chair of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES), said on X. On Wednesday, US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack told Rudaw that the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has been 'slow' in negotiating with the Syrian government, asserting that federalism in Syria 'doesn't work.' 'There is only one road, and that road is to Damascus,' Barrack said. Ahmad did not explicitly refer to Barrack's remarks, but the comments have sparked outrage among Kurds on social media. 'We count on a constructive role that strengthens dialogue, not weakens it,' she said. The Damascus administration also issued a statement rejecting federalism and calling on the SDF to integrate into state institutions following the US envoy's remarks. The SDF is the de facto army of Rojava - the Kurdish-controlled northeast region of Syria. During the civil war, Kurds established an autonomous administration, carving out large swathes of territory ceded by former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. Since the fall of the Assad regime, they have been in talks with the interim government in Damascus to integrate into national institutions, including the armed forces. Kurds are also concerned about the centralization of power and the prominence of Islamic law in the transitional constitution adopted by Syria's interim government. They have called for federalism and repeatedly denied that they seek to divide the country. In March, SDF commander Mazloum Abdi signed a deal with interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to integrate Rojava's civil and military institutions into those of the state. The two sides have continued discussions to implement the agreement.
Rudaw Net
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Rojava administration reiterates call for ‘decentralized' Syria, constitutional overhaul
Also in Syria Rojava ruling party rejects Damascus 'integration' as bid to 'dismantle' institutions Rojava official says concerned about hate speech, treason accusations after US envoy remarks Washington prioritizing unified Syria, not Kurdish autonomy: Former US diplomat Syrian, Israeli officials meet in Baku: Sources A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria (Rojava) on Sunday reiterated its call for a 'decentralized Syria' built on democratic and pluralistic foundations, while firmly rejecting accusations of separatist ambitions and reaffirming its 'unequivocal' commitment to Syria's territorial unity. The statement comes amid ongoing negotiations with the interim government in Damascus. In a statement released Sunday, the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES) stated, 'For decades, Syrians suffered under a centralized system that monopolized power and wealth' and 'dragged the country into repeated crises. 'Today, we aspire to be genuine partners in building a new Syria - a decentralized state that embraces all its people and guarantees their rights equally,' DAANES said. The Rojava administration further emphasized that its calls for 'a pluralistic democratic system' are longstanding, while reaffirming that the unity of Syrian territory is 'a non-negotiable principle and a constant pillar' of its vision, warning that politicizing this issue 'only serves those who seek to undermine the prospects of a political solution.' Following a swift offensive in December, a coalition of opposition groups - then headed by the now-dissolved Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) under Ahmed al-Sharaa - toppled the regime of longtime dictator Bashar Sharaa was appointed interim president in January, vowing to lead an inclusive political transition. However, in the months that followed, the interim government's policies have drawn criticism from minority groups, including the Kurds, who accuse it of exclusion and centralization. A key breakthrough came in early March, when Sharaa and Mazloum Abdi, commander of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), signed an agreement to integrate the Kurdish-led force, which serves as the de facto army in Rojava. The accord also outlined the integration of 'all civil and military institutions' in Rojava under the Syrian state, including border crossings, Qamishli International Airport, and oil and gas fields. Since then, multiple rounds of talks have been held between DAANES and Syrian government delegations, with participation from US and French envoys. While these talks have made some headway, a core disagreement continues to stall further progress. Damascus maintains that DAANES's administrative and military structures must be fully absorbed into a centralized state, adhering to the principle of 'one Syria, one army, one government.' In contrast, the Kurdish pirates in Rojava are advocating for a decentralized, democratic Syria that preserves the autonomy and institutions developed in Rojava over the past decade. In its Sunday statement, DAANES welcomed the latest meetings with the Syrian government - held in the presence of US and French representatives - as 'a crucial step toward launching a serious Syrian-Syrian dialogue.' It also expressed 'sincere thanks and gratitude' to both countries for their 'constructive role and continuous efforts in supporting stability, peace, and democracy in Syria.' The Kurdish-led administration also reiterated its call for the drafting of a new constitution 'that guarantees the rights of all components' of Syrian society. In mid-March, Sharaa signed a 53-article constitutional declaration that enshrines Islamic jurisprudence, requires the president to be Muslim, and outlines a five-year transitional period. The document retains the country's name as the Syrian Arab Republic and grants sweeping powers to the president, including exclusive executive authority, the ability to appoint one-third of the legislature, and control over appointments to the constitutional court - the only body capable of holding the president accountable. Kurdish groups in Rojava quickly rejected the declaration, arguing that any constitution must emerge from a genuine national consensus, not be imposed unilaterally. Of note, the DAANES statement came a day after a senior official in Rojava's ruling party warned on Saturday that the interim government's approach to integration amounts to an effort to 'dissolve the institutions' of the DAANES and strip it of its political and administrative roles. Fawza Youssef, a member of the presidential body of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), further stated that DAANES's model - established over the past 13 years - should not be viewed as "an obstacle, but as a pillar for strengthening Syria's power and cohesion' and a cornerstone for rebuilding a democratic Syria.
Rudaw Net
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Rojava to defend current status if Damascus rejects federalism: Official
Also in Syria UK repatriates 4 ISIS- linked nationals from Rojava SDF rescues Yazidi young man after 11 years in ISIS captivity SDF to hand over 200 Iraqi ISIS members to Baghdad Intra-Kurdish conference to be held in Rojava Friday A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A senior official from the Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria (Rojava) said on Thursday that they plan to preserve the enclave's current status while engaging more actively in Syria's political process, despite the new government's rejection of federalism. 'Our current plan is to preserve what exists, and we will try to be more involved within Syria and participate in every process,' Elham Ahmad, co-chair of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria's (DAANES) foreign relations said during a panel at the Sulaimani Forum when asked about their plan if Syria's interim government opposes federalism. The interim government's officials and commanders have ruled out federalism. The Kurdish official warned that centralized systems have historically led to structural crises in diverse societies like Syria. 'We see that strictly centralized systems do not solve problems but deepen them,' she said. 'Syria must not return to [how it was] before 2011. It must be decentralized and give the rights of all Syrian components.' Her remarks come weeks after a deal was reached between interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) chief Mazloum Abdi to integrate Rojava's civil and military institutions into the Syrian state. The SDF is the de facto army of Rojava. Ahmed called the agreement a 'historic point' which dispels accusations that the Kurdish administration seeks partition or separatism. 'We have always been accused of [wanting to cause] division and separation, so this agreement has put those accusations to rest,' she said. 'We are now in the phase of forming dialogue committees to discuss the bond of the agreement, how to implement it, and its mechanism.' Ahmed confirmed that 'many understandings' had also been reached regarding the strategic Tishreen Dam and Kurdish-majority neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafiyeh in northern Aleppo which had long been under SDF control. This follows a 14-point agreement signed in early April that includes a prisoner swap and outlines joint security oversight in Aleppo. As part of the broader agreement, Damascus-aligned forces and the SDF on Sunday began jointly managing security of the neighborhoods. The dam became the target of intensified attacks by Turkish-backed militia groups following the ouster of the former regime. Rojava's Ahmed reiterated that the Kurdish administration demands participation in drafting Syria's new constitution. 'What is happening now is that Syria's future is being specified by one side,' she said. 'We see ourselves as important and serious partners in the process of rebuilding Syria.' Sharaa signed a 53-article interim constitutional declaration in March, criticized by minority communities for reinforcing authoritarianism and religious exclusion. It preserves Syria's name as the 'Syrian Arab Republic,' makes Arabic the sole official language, and stipulates Islamic jurisprudence as a primary source of legislation. It also requires that the president be Muslim. The declaration has drawn backlash from various groups, including Syria's Druze community. Their spiritual leader, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajari, who in March called the government 'extremist in every sense of the word.' At the Sulaimani panel, Ahmed noted that many Syrians - including Druze, Alawites, Christians, and a significant secular segment of the Sunni Arab population - reject centralism. 'Most in Syria demand decentralization,' she said. Druze military and political forces in Suwayda have refused to disband and repeatedly called for decentralization. Bahaa al-Jamal, the Druze commander in Suwayda, told Rudaw in March that the declaration is 'not accepted' and that the community 'ought to have been included' in the process. He added that the Druze will only recognize Syria's president 'through fair elections.' In March, Rojava's ruling Democratic Union Party (PYD) and the opposition Kurdish National Council (ENKS) agreed on a joint list of demands, including federalism. 'The unification of the Kurdish stance is the starting point,' said Hoshyar Zebari, a senior official from the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), who voiced support for the demands. The KDP, led by Masoud Barzani, has maintained ties with both ENKS and the SDF. In January, Barzani met publicly with Abdi in Erbil, followed by talks between Abdi and ENKS that led to a plan to send a united Kurdish delegation to Damascus. Peter Galbraith, former Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and fellow panelist, highlighted Syria's vast social and ideological divisions and argued that federalism offers the best path forward. 'How do you reconcile a part of Syria, northeast Syria, which has its own political system, strict gender equality... with one in Idlib, which is Islamist?' he asked. 'Federalism in Syria is likely to keep Syria together.' The Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), whose leaders rule Syria, was formed from factions previously affiliated with al-Qaeda and Islamic State (ISIS). HTS leader Sharaa has attempted to rebrand, but international critics point to extremist ties. Some members of the newly formed cabinet in Damascus - such as Interior Minister Anas Khattab - were designated as terrorists by the US and the UN in the early years after the civil war in 2011. Prior to ousting the former regime, the HTS had long controlled Idlib in northwestern Syria. Galbraith stressed that around 40 percent of Syria's population is not Sunni Arab, and even among Sunni Arabs, many are secular, echoing claims made earlier by Ahmed. 'The idea that one particular ideology coming out of Idlib led by somebody who used to be ISIS and used to be al-Qaeda could somehow control Syria, is something that is not in the interest of the people of Syria and frankly not in the interest of the rest of the world,' he said Galbraith proposed elections based on proportional representation as a way to ensure diverse representation and inclusivity across Syria's fractured landscape. 'We're hoping to reach deeper understandings regarding the constitutional process, the political process, and the process of rebuilding Syria anew,' Ahmed said during the discussion.
Rudaw Net
01-04-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
SDF, Damascus reach preliminary deal on prisoner exchange, security
Also in Syria EU welcomes new Syrian government, stresses need for inclusive transition Syria's Sharaa says new government cannot please everyone Syria's new cabinet draws criticism over controversial appointments Rojava says won't implement decisions of new 'exclusionary' government in Syria A+ A- SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the new leadership in Damascus have struck an agreement to exchange 'all prisoners' and keep the SDF-affiliated internal security forces (Asayish) in Aleppo's predominantly Kurdish neighborhoods, an advisor to the Kurdish-led administration said on Tuesday. 'The Ashrafiyeh and Sheikh Maqsood neighborhood councils reached an agreement with the relevant committee from the Syrian authorities, marking an important step toward promoting stability and coexistence,' Bedran Ciya Kurd, advisor to the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES), said on X. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, also reported earlier on Tuesday that the Asayish in the Kurdish-majority neighborhoods north of Aleppo city 'will be transformed into public security forces' and will be placed 'under the administration of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria.' 'This will be done in coordination with the relevant service and security institutions in Aleppo, and special mechanisms will be established to achieve this,' said Kurd, also a former co-president of the Kurdish-led administration's foreign affairs department. 'The Syrian authorities in Aleppo bear responsibility for any threats the two neighborhoods may face, while ensuring joint efforts to mitigate these risks,' he emphasized. The Observatory added that the deal entails 'the release of 170 SDF prisoners and a number of bodies of martyrs,' in addition to 'around 400 detainees and bodies of members of the government's security forces and [allied] factions.' The deal will be implemented 'with the knowledge' of Washington, the Observatory added. Following a swift offensive, a coalition of opposition groups led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), headed by Ahmed al-Sharaa, in early December toppled the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. In late January, Sharaa was appointed as Syria's interim president. The HTS then marched on Aleppo, prompting the Kurdish-led SDF to take control of strategic locations in eastern Aleppo and form a corridor to the city from the Euphrates River. The SDF later tactically withdrew from many of the sites while maintaining hold over Aleppo's Kurdish-majority neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafiyeh, both long-held by the People's Protection Units (YPG) - the SDF's backbone. Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and SDF chief Mazloum Abdi signed a landmark agreement on March 10 to integrate the SDF into the Syrian state apparatus. The agreement recognizes the Kurds as an integral part of Syria, includes a countrywide ceasefire, and stipulates the return of displaced Syrians to their hometowns. Kurd called the agreement 'the first phase of a more comprehensive plan' to ensure the 'safe return of Afrin's residents.' In March, Ahmed Hassan, the head of the local council for the Kurdish National Council (ENKS/KNC) - the main opposition party in northeast Syria (Rojava) - told Rudaw that the number of Kurds returning to Afrin had significantly increased following the SDF-Damascus deal. In 2018, Turkey and its allied Syrian militias seized control of Afrin, a Kurdish enclave in northwest Syria. Thousands of Kurds fled, many moving to the nearby Shahba region, and families displaced from elsewhere in Syria moved into Afrin.
Rudaw Net
16-03-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Kurdish NGO to send aid to violence-hit Alawite regions in west Syria
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A humanitarian organization linked to the Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria (Rojava) announced on Sunday that it is preparing an aid convoy to the Alawite-majority regions in west Syria, which recently witnessed deadly violence. The Kurdish Red Crescent stated, 'We have begun preparing a humanitarian aid convoy…to our people on the Syrian [west] coast' and 'will make sure the convoy reaches the affected areas as quickly as possible,' adding that, 'We wish peace for our people on the coast and throughout [Syria].' The Qamishli-based organization, associated with the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES), is registered in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and licensed by the Rojava authorities. Since its establishment in 2012, it has become one of the largest local humanitarian actors, delivering aid to conflict-affected communities across Syria. In early March, loyalists of ousted Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad launched an attack on security forces affiliated with the new Syrian leadership in the Alawite-majority western regions. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that around 1,500 people, mostly Alawites, have been killed in the violence, attributed to government or government-affiliated forces. The escalating violence has drawn widespread condemnation from Western and regional powers, as well as human rights organizations.
