Latest news with #SyrianDemocraticForces
Shafaq News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
SDF Commander urges halt to Suwayda violence
Shafaq News – Damascus On Wednesday, Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander Mazloum Abdi called for an immediate end to the ongoing violence in Suwayda, emphasizing that Syria's future depends on dialogue and reason rather than revenge. In a post on X, Abdi reported receiving appeals from residents in Suwayda requesting safe corridors for civilians, describing the killing of women and children, along with the targeting of religious symbols, as violations of human values and Syrian societal norms. تصلنا مناشدات من أهلنا في السويداء لتأمين ممرات آمنة للمدنيين ووقف الهجمات التي تستهدفهم.قتل النساء والأطفال والاعتداء على الرموز الدينية جريمة بحق الإنسانية وقيم السوريين، ويجب وقف هذه الأعمال العدوانية فورًا ومحاسبة المسؤولين عنها.بعد 14 عامًا من الحرب، آن الأوان لوقف نزيف… — Mazloum Abdî مظلوم عبدي (@MazloumAbdi) July 16, 2025 He also urged a halt to what he called 'aggressive actions,' calling for those responsible to be held accountable. 'Fourteen years into the war, it is time to stop the bloodshed. Syria cannot recover through retaliation, but through reasoned dialogue,' he added. Abdi further characterized the situation facing the Druze community as a national issue that must be resolved through constitutional means and inclusive dialogue. The southern province has witnessed days of intense clashes between local armed groups and tribal factions, with over 250 people reported dead, according to local sources. A ceasefire agreement was later reached between a Druze faction and Syria's Interior Ministry.
Shafaq News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
SDF, MSD call for inclusive political solutions in Suwayda
Shafaq News – Suwayda Amid escalating violence in southern Syria's Suwayda province, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian Democratic Council (MSD) issued strong statements condemning recent attacks on civilians and warning of growing risks to national unity and social cohesion. Clashes erupted last week following a robbery on the Damascus highway that reportedly targeted a local merchant, sparking a series of retaliatory kidnappings and culminating in armed confrontations and shelling. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least 37 people have been killed so far, while Syria's Interior Ministry confirmed the deaths of over 30. The SDF, a US-backed alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters controlling large parts of northeast Syria, denounced the ongoing attacks on towns and villages in Suwayda, calling for an immediate halt to the violence and urging space for national initiatives aimed at resolving the crisis. بيان بخصوص الهجمات على قرى وبلدات محافظة السويداءنستنكر الهجمات والاعتداءات المستمرة التي تستهدف قرى وبلدات محافظة السويداء وأدت إلى فقدان العديد من أبناءها لحياتهم وحرق ونهب العشرات من بيوت ومزارع المدنيين. إن الهجمات المتكررة على شعبنا في السويداء والمضايقات المستمرة التي… — Syrian Democratic Forces (@SDF_Syria) July 14, 2025 The Syrian Democratic Council, the political wing of the SDF, echoed these concerns, warning that the rapidly deteriorating situation in Suwayda poses a serious threat to Syria's already fragile social fabric. 'This escalation, regardless of its motivations, cannot be separated from the broader Syrian crisis and the absence of fair political solutions,' MSD said in its statement. MSD explicitly criticized the involvement of Syrian government security agencies in fueling local tensions, calling it 'a dangerous act that contradicts the responsibility of any government to protect its citizens.' The council described such actions as violations of state duty and cautioned that they could deepen societal divisions and drive the country further into chaos. Both statements condemned the use of sectarian rhetoric and incitement, emphasizing the need to avoid 'dangerous slips' into hate speech that has historically fueled conflict in Syria. Suwayda, home to Syria's Druze minority, has largely remained on the margins of the civil war but has experienced periodic unrest in recent years. 'Syria today stands at a historic crossroads,' the council warned, stressing the need for national responsibility and unity. 'Internal escalations in any part of the country only weaken the prospects for a genuine solution and serve the interests of those who want Syria to remain broken.'
Leaders
4 days ago
- Politics
- Leaders
Kurdish Administration Reiterates Call for Decentralized Syria after Damascus Meeting
After the Syrian government utterly rejected decentralization system, the Kurdish parties had reiterated their demand of an approach that provides them with a measure of their de facto autonomy, according to Arab News. Syria's Rejection of Decentralization In March, Syria's President Ahmad Al-Sharaa and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Chief Mazloum Abdi signed an agreement to integrate the civil and military institutions of Kurds into the Syrian government. However, the implementation of this deal was held up by differences between both parties. On Wednesday, the pair held a meeting with a US envoy to discuss the stalled efforts. During the meeting, the new government stressed its rejection to 'any form of division or federalization.' It also urged SDF fighters to integrate into the army. President Al-Sharaa and Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack Kurdish Call for Decentralized Syria Meanwhile, the Kurdish administration called 'for a pluralistic democratic system, social justice, gender equality, and a constitution that guarantees the rights of all components' of society. 'Syrians have suffered for decades from a centralized system that monopolized power and wealth, suppressed local will, and dragged the country into successive crises,' the statement said on Sunday. The Kurds expressed their aspiration of being 'effective partners in building a new Syria, a decentralized Syria that embraces all its people and guarantees their rights equally.' Significant Kurdish Conference In May, Kurdish parties hosted a significant conference to introduce a unified vision for the country's future after the ousting of Bashar Assad, according to AFP. As a major component of Syria, Kurds 'must present a solution and a project proposal for the future of Syria,' Eldar Khalil, an official in the Kurdish Democratic Union Party, said. Moreover, Abdi called for 'a new decentralized constitution that includes all components' of society. 'We support all Syrian components receiving their rights in the constitution to be able to build a decentralized democratic Syria that embraces everyone,' he added. Turkish Opposition to Decentralization Turkey has also rejected any plans that may undermine Syria's central government or threaten its sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to Reuters. 'Turkey does not accept any initiative that targets Syria's territorial integrity, that will damage its sovereignty, or that allows weapons to be carried by others not in the Syrian central authority,' a Turkish Foreign Ministry source said. Moreover, President Tayyip Erdogan said in May that decentralization demands in Syria were 'nothing more than a raw dream.' Related Topics: Syrian Government, Kurds Exchange Prisoners in Aleppo Kurds Host Conference to Address Role in New Syria Erdogan Holds Talks with Syria's Sharaa in Istanbul Short link : Post Views: 33
The Sun
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Syrian Kurds renew autonomy push after failed Damascus talks
DAMASCUS: Syrian Kurdish leaders have reiterated demands for autonomy following unsuccessful negotiations with the central government, exposing persistent divisions over power-sharing in the war-torn nation. The Kurdish-led administration issued a statement on Sunday advocating for 'a pluralistic democratic system, social justice, gender equality, and a constitution that guarantees the rights of all components' of society. The latest appeal comes days after Damascus dismissed proposals for decentralisation during high-level talks involving US envoy Tom Barrack. The Syrian government insists on integrating Kurdish forces into its national army, rejecting what it terms 'any form of division or federalisation.' Mazloum Abdi of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and interim Kurdish leader Ahmed al-Sharaa initially agreed in March to merge Kurdish institutions with state structures. However, disagreements over autonomy provisions have stalled progress. The Kurds administer large areas of northern Syria, including key oil and gas resources, bolstered by US-led coalition support during the anti-ISIS campaign. Ambassador Barrack acknowledged the SDF's counterterrorism contributions but urged alignment with Damascus, stating the 'only future path for them is Syria's central government.' Kurdish officials counter that decades of centralized rule fueled inequality and conflict, advocating instead for a 'decentralised Syria that embraces all its people equally.' - AFP
Shafaq News
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Syrian Army and Kurdish forces clash east of Aleppo after talks fail
Shafaq News – Aleppo Clashes erupted overnight between Syrian army units and fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) east of Aleppo, Syrian sources reported on Friday. The fighting broke out near the villages of al-Imam and Rasm al-Krum in the eastern countryside of Deir Hafer district, following an SDF infiltration attempt targeting army positions in the area, the sources said, confirming thsat that Syrian government forces repelled the assault, though intermittent clashes continued, with both sides reinforcing their positions along the contact lines. The escalation follows the failure of the second round of negotiations between the two sides to implement the March 10 Agreement, which called for the dissolution of the Kurdish-led forces, their integration into the Syrian army, and the handover of administration of northeastern cities to the central government. Tensions rose sharply during the latest talks, as the SDF delegation insisted on federal autonomy and sought to integrate its forces as a separate bloc within the national army. The discussions, attended by US envoy Thomas Barak, ended without agreement According to sources familiar with the talks, the SDF delegation demanded constitutional amendments, rejected the handover of any cities in northeastern Syria, and refused to relinquish control over oil fields and border crossings—positions that triggered direct US mediation efforts despite American reservations about some of the SDF's demands.
