‘India can play an important role in the stability of Syria through its friendship with Syrians and Kurds'

Indian Express

16 hours ago

THE RECENT Israeli airstrikes in Damascus have heightened tensions among the many stakeholders in the region. As commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and one of the most senior leaders in the Kurds-led Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES), Kurdish leader General Mazloum Abdi is a key player in a region with a complex and unique set of security and governance challenges. While interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa and the Damascus government have been asking the SDF to honour their March 10 deal by dissolving the outfit and fully integrating its fighters into the Syrian Arab Army, the SDF has been demanding a decentralised security arrangement that preserves its command structure. Besides decentralisation, the SDF had been seeking ethnic/religious rights (especially Kurdish recognition) and gender equality. Damascus, however, rejects these as infringements on state sovereignty. In an interview, Gen Abdi speaks about Syria post Assad, the sticking points in the deal with the Syrian government.
How has daily life for civilians in Syria changed since the fall of the Assad government?
The collapse of the Baath regime after 13 years was a development that all Syrians were happy about and a cause for celebration for all of us. At the same time, this moment has created a huge security and administrative vacuum. All areas of life in Syria were almost completely destroyed during the years of war. Basic necessities, such as water and electricity, are still very difficult to find. However, the positive thing is that now, with the lifting of some of the economic sanctions, there has been some relief and there is hope that our country can rebuild. There are many difficulties and dangers in terms of security. The interim government is trying to gain control through a unilateral approach, but there are many violations and violence has increased. We have seen many suicide attacks in the big cities. The threat of ISIS and the ISIS movement has also increased.
What are the challenges in integrating the SDF into the Syrian army under the March 10 agreement? What role can DAANES play in Syria's future?
We attach great importance to that memorandum of understanding. We are currently working to broaden and implement it. The experience of DAANES constitutes a positive model of governance for Syria. In the last more than 10 years, DAANES has been able to rebuild the region that had been destroyed during major battles with ISIS and re-establish security there. This is a very important issue that must be considered. After the collapse of the highly centralised and dictatorial regime of (former president) Bashar al-Assad, Syria now has a greater chance of moving towards democracy and a decentralised system. A society like Syria can only ensure democracy with a decentralised system. We accepted the integration of the SDF with the Syrian army in the memorandum of understanding signed on March 10. Now we must work on the details so that stability in the country is not disrupted and no one takes advantage of the security gaps. But the emphasis must be on the clear path of integration of all other groups into the Syrian army, the army must have a national identity and its role must be to defend the entire Syrian people. In other words, it must not be subordinated to any other interests. I believe that to ensure stability in Syria, we need democratic institutions that represent and protect the will of all Syrian constituents.
Ethnic and religious tensions in Syria have continued in recent months. How can Syria ensure inclusive governance to prevent ethnic and religious tensions, particularly amid recent instability in Deir ez-Zor, Alawite areas, and Druze regions?
These conflicts and wars are the result of the policies pursued by the interim government so far. Syria is a diverse country. In order to maintain stability, the rights of all groups and identities must be protected and their place in decision-making processes must be ensured. For example, the government can establish regional councils through elections and these councils can manage the affairs of their regions. Also, most importantly, the security forces and the army must not become parties to these ethnic and religious wars.
In light of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan's recent call for peace and the consequent decision of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK, a militant organisation of which Öcalan is co-founder) to disband, how do you foresee this affecting the struggle of the Kurdish people in Syria?
Mr. Öcalan's call was historic and has earned a lot of support. Ending the war and violence against the Kurdish people in Turkey will open new paths for the Kurds as a whole. After this call, a ceasefire was established in North and East Syria and the Turkish state's attacks against us stopped. Therefore, tensions have decreased considerably. This will open the way for the Kurds to take part in the construction of a new democratic Syria.
Turkey views the SDF as an extension of the PKK. With the PKK disbanding, do you expect Turkey to change its stance towards the SDF and the DAANES?
This is a matter related to Turkey's internal politics. In my eyes, the SDF and the DAANES have never constituted a security threat to Turkey. On the contrary, we liberated Turkey's border from ISIS and ensured stability on the border. If Turkey recognises the rights of the Kurds within the Republic of Turkey, the same must apply to Syria.
What is the level of international support that would most effectively help sustain these counterterrorism efforts?
The support of the international coalition has been a key factor in the fight against ISIS. Today, continued support from the international coalition is needed to ensure that this success is sustained. We are concerned that ISIS will exploit the security vacuum in Syria and expand its organisation. So far, the security situation in the DAANES is more stable than in the rest of Syria. However, ISIS activities have increased recently throughout Syria.
What part might Asian nations such as India play in the region's future?
Many countries have troops here in the bases of the international coalition and support our forces. These countries can also play a positive role in the political process and support the Syrian people's efforts for building a peaceful and democratic future in their homeland. Countries such as India and other Asian countries can play an important friendly role and be active in the reconstruction process in Syria. India has always had an important role in West Asia. It can now play an important role in the stability of the region through its friendship with the Syrian people and the Kurdish people.
A large number of countries have re-established official ties with Syria after the fall of the Assad government. Sanctions have been lifted and investments announced. What kind of regional and international role do you envision for Syria?
Syria's geographical location is very important in West Asia. I am sure that we will succeed and once again bring our country to its feet. Then Syria can play a decisive political and economic role at the regional and international levels by establishing peaceful relations with its neighbours. It can make an important contribution to the democratisation and stabilisation of West Asia.
Haritha Savithri is a Barcelona-based Malayalam writer and freelance journalist