Latest news with #PYD
Rudaw Net
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Rojava ruling party rejects Damascus ‘integration' as bid to ‘dismantle' institutions
Also in Syria Rojava administration reiterates call for 'decentralized' Syria, constitutional overhaul 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 - A senior official of the ruling Kurdish party in northeast Syria (Rojava) strongly criticized a proposal by the interim government in Damascus to "integrate" institutions within the Kurdish-majority region, describing it as an attempt to dismantle Rojava's self-governing administration, rather than a genuine move toward national unity under a democratic framework. Fawza Youssef, a member of the presidential body of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), warned that the new Syrian leadership's integration push reflects an effort 'to dissolve the institutions of the [Kurdish-led Democratic] Autonomous Administration [of North and East Syria's - DAANES],' stripping it of its 'political and service-oriented functions.' In an interview aired Saturday by Ronahi TV, a media outlet affiliated with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Youssef argues that DAANES's model - established over the past 13 years - should not be viewed as "an obstacle, but a pillar for strengthening Syria's power and cohesion,' and a cornerstone for rebuilding a democratic Syria. Following a swift offensive in December, a coalition of opposition groups - led at the time by the now-dissolved Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) under Ahmed al-Sharaa - toppled the regime of longtime Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. Sharaa was appointed interim president in January, pledging to lead an inclusive political process. However, in the months that followed, the new interim government's policies have been criticized as exclusionary, especially by minority groups, including the Kurds. Despite this, a milestone agreement was signed in March between Sharaa and SDF chief Mazloum Abdi to integrate the US-backed Kurdish-led force, which serves as Rojava's de facto military, into Syria's national institutions. The accord also noted the integration of 'all civil and military institutions' in Rojava 'under the administration of the Syrian state, including border crossings, the [Qamishli International] Airport, and oil and gas fields.' But Youssef pushed back against Damascus's interpretation of "integration," clarifying that for the PYD, "Integration certainly does not mean disarming, closing institutions, or assimilation within a centralized state. Rather, what is required is recognition of this experience and its participation within a comprehensive national democratic framework." She attributed Syria's current woes to centralized governance, arguing that it "brought the country to its current state, collapsed the political structure' and 'paved the way for deep foreign interventions in Syrian affairs." Youssef further highlighted a deep 'lack of trust between Syrian parties,' citing what she described as the interim government's failure to uphold previous agreements. Since the March Abdi-Sharaa deal, multiple rounds of negotiations have taken place between DAANES and Syrian government delegations, including sessions attended by US and French envoys. However, a fundamental disagreement continues to stall progress. Damascus insists on full absorption of DAANES's administrative and military structures into a centralized Syrian state, based on the principle of 'one Syria, one army, one government.' Conversely, DAANES and the PYD advocate for a decentralized, democratic Syria that preserves the autonomy and institutions developed in Rojava.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kurds plan Damascus talks as visions for Syria collide
By Orhan Qereman HASAKEH, Syria (Reuters) -Syrian Kurdish parties will send a delegation to Damascus soon for talks over their region's political future, a leading Kurdish politician said, as they seek to advance their goal of regional autonomy despite opposition from the Islamist rulers. More than six months after Bashar al-Assad was toppled, Kurdish demands for regional autonomy have emerged as one of the main fault lines in the new Syria, opposed by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and his powerful allies in neighbouring Turkey. Oppressed by Assad, rival Syrian Kurdish groups last month issued a shared vision calling for the unification of the Kurdish regions as a political and administrative unit within a federal Syria, aiming to safeguard Kurdish gains during the war. "Our Kurdish vision document will be the basis for negotiations with Damascus. The delegation is close to being ready to negotiate with Damascus," Aldar Xelil, a member of the presidential council of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), the dominant faction in northeastern Syria, told Reuters. But he added: "We may face some difficulties because their position is still inflexible." His comments point to the limited progress in bridging gaps between the sides since they signed a deal in March aimed at integrating the Kurdish-led security forces and other governing bodies in northeastern Syria with the central state in Damascus. The Kurdish-led authorities have already had contacts with Damascus, including via a committee tasked with discussing the future of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, a powerful security force backed by the United States. Last month's Kurdish declaration was adopted by both the PYD and its main rival, the Kurdish National Council (ENKS). 'WE SEEK DISCUSSION' Following the declaration, Sharaa's office issued a statement rejecting any attempt "to impose a partition or create separatist cantons" without a national consensus. The Kurdish groups have in turn rejected the transitional arrangements drawn up by his administration, including a constitutional declaration that focused power in Sharaa's hands and strengthened the role of Islamic law. Xelil described the steps taken by Damascus as unilateral but added: "We seek discussion and participation." Calls for federal rule have gathered momentum in Syria since March's mass killings of members of the Alawite minority by Islamist militants in western Syria's coastal region, with some Alawites also calling for decentralized rule. Xelil said the role of the Kurdish-led security forces was to ensure the "security and safety of this region" and if this is "not guaranteed constitutionally, legally, and politically, then discussing the issue of weapons will be futile". Turkey, which has emerged with big influence in the new Syria, has long opposed Syrian Kurdish autonomy. After last month's announcement, President Tayyip Erdogan dismissed calls for federalism as "nothing more than a raw dream". Turkey's suspicion of the dominant Syrian Kurdish group stems from its ties to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which earlier this month decided to dissolve itself and end decades of armed struggle with Turkey. Xelil said he expected the PKK move to impact Turkey's position on Syria. "Turkey viewed the presence of the PKK or groups influenced by it as a pretext for attacking northeastern Syria," he said. "There will be no pretext for Turkey to attack the region." (Writing by Tom PerryEditing by Gareth Jones)
Al Arabiya
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Kurds plan Damascus talks as visions for Syria collide
Syrian Kurdish parties will send a delegation to Damascus soon for talks over their region's political future, a leading Kurdish politician said, as they seek to advance their goal of regional autonomy despite opposition from the interim government. More than six months after Bashar al-Assad was toppled, Kurdish demands for regional autonomy have emerged as one of the main fault lines in the new Syria, opposed by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and his powerful allies in neighboring Turkey. Oppressed by Assad, rival Syrian Kurdish groups last month issued a shared vision calling for the unification of the Kurdish regions as a political and administrative unit within a federal Syria, aiming to safeguard Kurdish gains during the war. 'Our Kurdish vision document will be the basis for negotiations with Damascus. The delegation is close to being ready to negotiate with Damascus,' Aldar Xelil, a member of the presidential council of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), the dominant faction in northeastern Syria, told Reuters. But he added: 'We may face some difficulties because their position is still inflexible.' His comments point to the limited progress in bridging gaps between the sides since they signed a deal in March aimed at integrating the Kurdish-led security forces and other governing bodies in northeastern Syria with the central state in Damascus. The Kurdish-led authorities have already had contacts with Damascus, including via a committee tasked with discussing the future of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, a powerful security force backed by the United States. Last month's Kurdish declaration was adopted by both the PYD and its main rival, the Kurdish National Council (ENKS). 'We seek discussion' Following the declaration, Sharaa's office issued a statement rejecting any attempt 'to impose a partition or create separatist cantons' without a national consensus. The Kurdish groups have in turn rejected the transitional arrangements drawn up by his administration, including a constitutional declaration that focused power in Sharaa's hands and strengthened the role of Islamic law. Xelil described the steps taken by Damascus as unilateral but added: 'We seek discussion and participation.' Calls for federal rule have gathered momentum in Syria since March's mass killings of members of the Alawite minority by militants in western Syria's coastal region, with some Alawites also calling for decentralized rule. Xelil said the role of the Kurdish-led security forces was to ensure the 'security and safety of this region' and if this is 'not guaranteed constitutionally, legally, and politically, then discussing the issue of weapons will be futile.' Turkey, which has emerged with big influence in the new Syria, has long opposed Syrian Kurdish autonomy. After last month's announcement, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan dismissed calls for federalism as 'nothing more than a raw dream.' Turkey's suspicion of the dominant Syrian Kurdish group stems from its ties to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which earlier this month decided to dissolve itself and end decades of armed struggle with Turkey. Xelil said he expected the PKK move to impact Turkey's position on Syria. 'Turkey viewed the presence of the PKK or groups influenced by it as a pretext for attacking northeastern Syria,' he said. 'There will be no pretext for Turkey to attack the region.'
The Star
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Kurds plan Damascus talks as visions for Syria collide
Aldar Xelil of Democratic Union Party (PYD) attends an interview with Reuters at his office in Hasaka, Syria, May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Orhan Qereman HASAKEH, Syria (Reuters) -Syrian Kurdish parties will send a delegation to Damascus soon for talks over their region's political future, a leading Kurdish politician said, as they seek to advance their goal of regional autonomy despite opposition from the Islamist rulers. More than six months after Bashar al-Assad was toppled, Kurdish demands for regional autonomy have emerged as one of the main fault lines in the new Syria, opposed by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and his powerful allies in neighbouring Turkey. Oppressed by Assad, rival Syrian Kurdish groups last month issued a shared vision calling for the unification of the Kurdish regions as a political and administrative unit within a federal Syria, aiming to safeguard Kurdish gains during the war. "Our Kurdish vision document will be the basis for negotiations with Damascus. The delegation is close to being ready to negotiate with Damascus," Aldar Xelil, a member of the presidential council of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), the dominant faction in northeastern Syria, told Reuters. But he added: "We may face some difficulties because their position is still inflexible." His comments point to the limited progress in bridging gaps between the sides since they signed a deal in March aimed at integrating the Kurdish-led security forces and other governing bodies in northeastern Syria with the central state in Damascus. The Kurdish-led authorities have already had contacts with Damascus, including via a committee tasked with discussing the future of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, a powerful security force backed by the United States. Last month's Kurdish declaration was adopted by both the PYD and its main rival, the Kurdish National Council (ENKS). 'WE SEEK DISCUSSION' Following the declaration, Sharaa's office issued a statement rejecting any attempt "to impose a partition or create separatist cantons" without a national consensus. The Kurdish groups have in turn rejected the transitional arrangements drawn up by his administration, including a constitutional declaration that focused power in Sharaa's hands and strengthened the role of Islamic law. Xelil described the steps taken by Damascus as unilateral but added: "We seek discussion and participation." Calls for federal rule have gathered momentum in Syria since March's mass killings of members of the Alawite minority by Islamist militants in western Syria's coastal region, with some Alawites also calling for decentralized rule. Xelil said the role of the Kurdish-led security forces was to ensure the "security and safety of this region" and if this is "not guaranteed constitutionally, legally, and politically, then discussing the issue of weapons will be futile". Turkey, which has emerged with big influence in the new Syria, has long opposed Syrian Kurdish autonomy. After last month's announcement, President Tayyip Erdogan dismissed calls for federalism as "nothing more than a raw dream". Turkey's suspicion of the dominant Syrian Kurdish group stems from its ties to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which earlier this month decided to dissolve itself and end decades of armed struggle with Turkey. Xelil said he expected the PKK move to impact Turkey's position on Syria. "Turkey viewed the presence of the PKK or groups influenced by it as a pretext for attacking northeastern Syria," he said. "There will be no pretext for Turkey to attack the region." (Writing by Tom PerryEditing by Gareth Jones)
Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Kurds plan Damascus talks as visions for Syria collide
Aldar Xelil of Democratic Union Party (PYD) attends an interview with Reuters at his office in Hasaka, Syria, May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Orhan Qereman Aldar Xelil of Democratic Union Party (PYD) attends an interview with Reuters at his office in Hasaka, Syria, May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Orhan Qereman HASAKEH, Syria - Syrian Kurdish parties will send a delegation to Damascus soon for talks over their region's political future, a leading Kurdish politician said, as they seek to advance their goal of regional autonomy despite opposition from the Islamist rulers. More than six months after Bashar al-Assad was toppled, Kurdish demands for regional autonomy have emerged as one of the main fault lines in the new Syria, opposed by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and his powerful allies in neighbouring Turkey. Oppressed by Assad, rival Syrian Kurdish groups last month issued a shared vision calling for the unification of the Kurdish regions as a political and administrative unit within a federal Syria, aiming to safeguard Kurdish gains during the war. "Our Kurdish vision document will be the basis for negotiations with Damascus. The delegation is close to being ready to negotiate with Damascus," Aldar Xelil, a member of the presidential council of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), the dominant faction in northeastern Syria, told Reuters. But he added: "We may face some difficulties because their position is still inflexible." His comments point to the limited progress in bridging gaps between the sides since they signed a deal in March aimed at integrating the Kurdish-led security forces and other governing bodies in northeastern Syria with the central state in Damascus. The Kurdish-led authorities have already had contacts with Damascus, including via a committee tasked with discussing the future of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, a powerful security force backed by the United States. Last month's Kurdish declaration was adopted by both the PYD and its main rival, the Kurdish National Council (ENKS). 'WE SEEK DISCUSSION' Following the declaration, Sharaa's office issued a statement rejecting any attempt "to impose a partition or create separatist cantons" without a national consensus. The Kurdish groups have in turn rejected the transitional arrangements drawn up by his administration, including a constitutional declaration that focused power in Sharaa's hands and strengthened the role of Islamic law. Xelil described the steps taken by Damascus as unilateral but added: "We seek discussion and participation." Calls for federal rule have gathered momentum in Syria since March's mass killings of members of the Alawite minority by Islamist militants in western Syria's coastal region, with some Alawites also calling for decentralized rule. Xelil said the role of the Kurdish-led security forces was to ensure the "security and safety of this region" and if this is "not guaranteed constitutionally, legally, and politically, then discussing the issue of weapons will be futile". Turkey, which has emerged with big influence in the new Syria, has long opposed Syrian Kurdish autonomy. After last month's announcement, President Tayyip Erdogan dismissed calls for federalism as "nothing more than a raw dream". Turkey's suspicion of the dominant Syrian Kurdish group stems from its ties to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which earlier this month decided to dissolve itself and end decades of armed struggle with Turkey. Xelil said he expected the PKK move to impact Turkey's position on Syria. "Turkey viewed the presence of the PKK or groups influenced by it as a pretext for attacking northeastern Syria," he said. "There will be no pretext for Turkey to attack the region." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
