Latest news with #DemocraticAutonomousAdministrationofNorthandEastSyria
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.
Rudaw Net
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Rojava rejects Syria's interim constitution as mirroring Assad's policies
Also in Syria Syria's Druze spiritual leader slams new Syrian leadership as 'extremist' Syrian constitutional declaration upholds Arab identity Syrian pastor slams constitution declaration for lacking religious freedom Syria president approves draft constitution A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria (Rojava) strongly rejected the new interim constitution signed by Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Thursday, as perpetuating policies of ousted dictator Bashar al-Assad's regime. 'The [constitutional] declaration includes provisions and a traditional [legal] framework that closely resemble the measures previously imposed by [Assad's] Ba'ath government,' read a statement by the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES). The statement censured the interim constitution for disregarding Syria's diverse ethnic and religious communities, including the Kurds and the Christians. The 53-article interim constitution, which centers on Islamic jurisprudence, stipulates that Syria's president must be a Muslim and sets a five-year transitional period. It also retains the country's official name as the Syrian 'Arab' Republic. During the signing ceremony, Sharaa expressed hope that the declaration would mark 'a new chapter in Syria's history, one where ignorance is replaced with knowledge and oppression with justice.' The interim constitution grants Sharaa exclusive executive power, the authority to appoint one-third of the legislature, and the ability to appoint judges to the constitutional court, which is the body that can hold him accountable. The Rojava authorities on Thursday condemned the constitutional declaration for reinforcing a 'centralized mindset' rather than advancing a democratic transition. They emphasized that the constitution 'does not represent the aspirations of our people, nor does it acknowledge their true identity in Syria.' Rojava authorities warned that such 'narrow-minded practices and outdated political ideas' could set Syria back and deepen the country's wounds. Following a swift offensive, a coalition of rebel groups led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) - headed by Sharaa - on December 8 toppled Assad's regime. Sharaa was appointed as Syria's interim President in late January. Around that same period, the country's constitution was annulled, its parliament was dissolved and its army disbanded. Sharaa then vowed to form an 'inclusive transitional government that would reflect Syria's diversity, hold "free and fair elections," and preserve "civil peace" and Syria's territorial unity. The constitutional declaration follows a decree issued by Sharaa in late February establishing a seven-member committee of 'experts' tasked with drafting the declaration to 'regulate the transitional phase' in Syria. The committee was also criticized for its exclusion of ethnic and religious communities in Syria. Notably, members of Syria's Christian and Druze communities have also voiced their discontent with the interim constitution, highlighting their exclusion from the committee tasked with its creation.
Rudaw Net
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Rojava administration hails 'historic' Damascus-SDF agreement
A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria (Rojava) on Wednesday hailed as 'important and historic' a recently-signed agreement between the new Syrian administration and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), stressing it aligns with their ambition for a unified and cooperative Syria. In a statement, the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES) said that the Monday agreement between Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and SDF chief Mazloum al-Abdi 'is an important and historic agreement during a sensitive and difficult phase Syria is experiencing following the fall of the Baath regime.' 'It expresses our enduring position and our commitment to preserving the unity of Syrian territory and its social fabric, and is a positive and important step in bridging the gap between all Syrian parties,' the statement added. The agreement seeks to integrate the Kurdish-led SDF into Syria's state institutions, recognizes the Kurds as an integral part of Syrian society, includes a countrywide ceasefire, and stipulates the return of displaced Syrians to their hometowns. The administration in Rojava further called the deal 'an important and inspiring incentive to foster a spirit of partnership in shaping and building the future of a new Syria,' and one that could steer the country away from 'the mentality of exclusion and tyranny.' The SDF is the de facto army of Rojava. The Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), which serves as the SDF's political wing, told Rudaw on Tuesday that the deal was mediated by international actors, mainly the US. On Wednesday, the US and EU welcomed the agreement, joining a slew of regional and international forces including the Kurdistan Region, Germany, France Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan. Following a swift offensive, a coalition of rebel groups led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) - headed by Sharaa - on December 8 toppled the Bashar al-Assad regime. Sharaa was in late January appointed as Syria's interim President. After his appointment, Sharaa vowed to uphold the rights of all ethnic and religious groups. However, the international community has repeatedly censured the new Damascus leadership for its treatment of Syria's minority groups.
