Latest news with #KNC
Shafaq News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Seeking recognition: Syrian Kurds ready for Damascus talks
Shafaq News/ On Friday, the Kurdish National Council (KNC) in Syria confirmed its readiness to engage in direct talks with the Syrian government. Faissal Youssef, KNC spokesperson, told Shafaq News that Kurds have long endured marginalization under successive Syrian governments and seek recognition of their identity and rights. 'This is not a new issue—our demands go back to the establishment of the modern Syrian state." Youssef stressed that the KNC remains committed to unity and political resolution. 'Our delegation represents the broad majority of Kurdish political and social actors, and is fully prepared to travel to Damascus once the appropriate opportunity arises.' Negotiations are expected to focus on securing national-level recognition of the Kurds as Syria's second-largest ethnic group and ensuring their representation in all state institutions. A separate delegation from the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria is also reportedly set to meet with government officials to discuss administrative and military arrangements in the northeast, due to conflicts between the two parties. The talks follow a March 10 agreement between Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Commander Mazloum Abdi, outlining the integration of all military and civil bodies— including border crossings and oil fields—into the state framework by the end of 2025, and rejecting any calls for division. It also commits both parties to a nationwide ceasefire and affirms equal representation in political and public institutions, based on merit rather than ethnicity or religion. 'The Kurdish movement has reached consensus on the vision for Syria's future and the framework for dialogue,' Youssef said. 'The international support for the Kurdish Unity Conference, including from the US and France, reflects recognition of our legitimacy.' The renewed dialogue efforts come as Western powers, including the European Union and the United States, reengage diplomatically in Syria to "stabilize areas outside regime control and prevent further fragmentation."
Shafaq News
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Syria's KNC rejects government criticism: Division UNACCEPTABLE
Shafaq News/ On Tuesday, the Kurdish National Council (KNC) dismissed the Syrian government's criticism of a recent political initiative, affirming that the joint Kurdish vision supports unity, not separation. Suleiman Oso, a member of the Council's Presidential Body, told Shafaq News the strategy adopted at the Kurdish Unity Conference in Qamishli is 'a collective expression of Kurdish aspirations and does not advocate for federalism or autonomy without national consensus.' 'Any attempt to impose a de facto division or create separate entities without a comprehensive agreement is unacceptable,' he said, responding to a Syrian Presidency statement that opposed any efforts to establish federalism or self-administration. The Kurdish official urged the Syrian interim government to avoid repeating 'past mistakes' and adopt new approaches that prevent division and destruction, stressing that Kurdish unity efforts are not directed against other Syrian communities or neighboring countries. 'Syria's strength comes from the strength of its components.' 'Our vision calls for a decentralized political system that ensures pluralism and constitutionally guarantees the Kurdish people's rights, in line with international conventions,' he explained. 'Lasting stability in Syria requires respect for diversity, genuine dialogue, and inclusive negotiation based on the will of all Syrians.' The April 26 conference brought together Kurdish political parties, independent figures, and delegations from the Kurdistan Region and Turkiye. It adopted a unified Kurdish platform as a basis for dialogue among Kurdish actors, as well as with Damascus and other Syrian forces. During the event, Hameed Darbandi, head of the Syrian dossier at Iraq's Kurdistan Region Presidency, read a letter from Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani, expressing full support for any effort to bridge Kurdish political divides in Syria.
Shafaq News
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Kurds to push for federal system in post-Assad Syria
Shafaq News / Syrian Kurdish groups are preparing to push for a federal system that would grant them autonomy, despite opposition from interim president Ahmad al-Sharaa, a senior Kurdish official told Reuters. Kurdish sources said rival factions reached consensus last month on a unified political vision, including support for a federal governance model—though it has not been officially announced. Momentum for a federal system has grown amid rising concerns among Syria's minorities, particularly after last month's mass killings of Alawites. Kurdish groups accuse al-Sharaa and Islamist factions leading the interim government of consolidating power and steering Syria in the wrong direction. Kurdish-led groups currently control nearly a quarter of Syrian territory. In March, the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) reached an agreement with Damascus to integrate Kurdish governing bodies and security forces into central structures. 'All Kurdish political forces in Syria have agreed on a common political vision regarding governance, the identity of the Syrian state, and Kurdish rights,' said Badran Jia Kurd, a senior official in the Kurdish self-administration. 'They affirmed the need for a federal, parliamentary, pluralistic, and democratic system.' It marks the first time a senior Kurdish official has publicly confirmed support for federalism since the consensus was reached. Until now, Kurdish authorities had emphasized decentralization rather than explicitly calling for a federal system. They maintain that the goal is autonomy within Syria, not independence. Al-Sharaa has rejected federalism, telling The Economist in January that it lacks popular support and would harm Syria's unity. 'The reality of Syrian society and its geography shows the need to preserve each region's administrative, political, and cultural identity,' Jia Kurd said. He added this would require regional legislative councils, executive bodies for local governance, and internal security forces, all anchored in the constitution. Neighboring Turkiye opposes the move. It considers the main Syrian Kurdish party, the Democratic Union Party (PYD), a security threat due to its ties to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has led a decades-long insurgency in Turkiye. The Kurdish National Council (KNC), backed by Iraq's Barzani-led Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), also joined last month's talks. KNC leader Suleiman Oso said the joint Kurdish vision will be presented formally at a conference later in April. He noted that developments since Bashar al-Assad's ouster in December have strengthened support for federalism—particularly following reported violations against Alawites in Syria's coastal regions and growing resistance among the Druze community in Suwayda. A recent constitutional declaration by the interim government gave sweeping powers to al-Sharaa, named Islamic law as the main legislative source, and established Arabic as the sole official language—without reference to Kurdish. 'We believe federalism is the best solution to preserve Syria's unity,' Oso said. 'Syria is home to many ethnicities, religions, and sects. When we go to Damascus, we will clearly present our vision and demands to the interim government.'
Asharq Al-Awsat
29-03-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Syrian Kurds Frustrated with Damascus Over Exclusion from Transitional Govt Formation
Discontent among Syria's Kurds has been evident following their exclusion from consultations regarding the formation of the transitional government, which is set to be announced by Damascus within hours. The Kurdish National Council (KNC) has confirmed its decision to boycott the government's inauguration ceremony, despite receiving an official invitation to attend. Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, KNC spokesperson Faisal Youssef stated that the new administration in Damascus 'did not engage with us regarding the formation of this government, nor did it consult us in selecting its members or portfolios.' He emphasized that Kurdish political forces are the sole representatives and defenders of Kurdish rights, adding: 'We are not interested in merely attending the announcement ceremony; our concern is ensuring our people's demands are constitutionally recognized.' Youssef further clarified that the Kurdish bloc was not offered participation in the upcoming government. Expressing his disappointment, he said: 'We had hoped the new administration would acknowledge the demands of the Kurdish people, who constitute the country's second-largest ethnic group, and grant them their rights as partners in building a new Syria.' The constitutional declaration grants President Ahmad Al-Sharaa sweeping powers to manage the transitional phase but fails to meet the aspirations of minorities, including Kurds and Christians. These groups fear the reproduction of an authoritarian regime, as the declaration sets the transitional period at five years and grants the president control over legislative, executive, and judicial authorities, despite nominally upholding the principle of 'separation of powers.' Zaid Sefouk, from the Independent Kurdistan Movement, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Al-Sharaa government 'lacks legitimacy from the people, was formed through unilateral decision-making, and represents a single political faction. It will not be capable of governing Syria or overcoming the destruction left behind by the ousted Ba'athist regime.' Previously, Al-Sharaa had signed a so-called historic agreement with Mazloum Abdi, commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The agreement stipulated the integration of the civil and military institutions of the Autonomous Administration, which is controlled by the SDF in northeastern Syria, into the structures of the central government. It also placed border crossings, Qamishli Airport, and oil, gas, and energy fields in Deir ez-Zor under the central administration in Damascus. The agreement allows technical committees time to negotiate the details until early next year, providing the SDF an opportunity to push for its demands. Sources familiar with the government formation have indicated that ministerial positions will be assigned to Kurdish figures. However, when asked about these individuals or political blocs expected to participate, Faisal Youssef denied any contact between the new administration and the Kurdish political movement or any party regarding government participation. He said: 'There has been no discussion with us about the basis on which any Kurdish representatives would join, their level of representation for Kurdish regions, or how our national demands would be met within the framework of state institutions.' Since its establishment in mid-2014, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria has governed civil councils across four provinces: Hasakah, Raqqa, parts of Deir ez-Zor, and the city of Ain al-Arab (Kobani) in eastern Aleppo. This region holds 90% of Syria's oil and gas reserves.
Shafaq News
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
KNC slams Syria's 'dangerous' constitution
Shafaq News/ On Friday, the Kurdish National Council (KNC) rejected Syria's transitional constitution, warning it could destabilize the country and describing it as a 'dangerous step' in a multi-ethnic society. Shellal Geddo, head of the Syrian Kurdish Centrist Party (Partiya Naverast A kurd li Sûriyê) and a member of the KNC's General Secretariat, said the transitional constitution disregards Syria's ethnic and religious diversity. 'It was not surprising, but Syrians had hoped for a fairer document,' he stated. 'Today, Syria's components are dissatisfied with it.' Geddo criticized the document for reflecting a 'one-nation, one-religion' framework, warning it would fail to gain public support if put to a referendum. The transitional constitution is set to remain in effect for five years, which he called 'a significant period requiring amendments to guarantee the rights of all ethnic and religious groups.' Comparing it to Syria's 1920 constitution, the official described the earlier document as 'more progressive in recognizing the country's diversity,' condemning the constitution's imposition of Arabic as the sole language and the dominance of Islam in a country with multiple faiths. Such provisions, he confirmed, marginalize non-Arab and non-Muslim communities, particularly the Kurds and Christians. On Thursday, the Syrian experts committee unveiled the contents of a draft constitutional declaration, which relies on Islamic jurisprudence as a primary source of legislation. The draft has sparked a range of reactions, with various groups expressing their opposition. Among the most prominent voices of dissent are the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) and Bahaa Al-Jammal, the leader of Druze operations in Sweida.
