Syrian Kurds are boycotting a key conference on Syria’s post-Assad future, citing issues of inclusivity and legitimacy. The Kurdish-led AANES stresses that meaningful dialogue requires their participation and mutual agreements with the Syrian government. Meanwhile, discussions are ongoing about oil management and the integration of Kurdish military forces into a new national army amidst concerns about representation in the current government.
Syrian Kurds have chosen to boycott a national dialogue conference organized by Syria’s transitional government, which aims to address the country’s post-Assad future. The conference, taking place over two days in Damascus, is part of an initiative led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) following its recent takeover of the city, which resulted in the departure of former leader Bashar al-Assad to Russia after over fifty years of rule.
The Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) made clear its refusal to participate, citing the conference’s lack of inclusivity and legitimacy. Fethullah Husseini, AANES representative in the Iraqi Kurdistan region, stated, “No Kurdish delegation would participate in the conference, neither by the AANES nor any other Kurds. It is a local conference because it only includes components identified by Syria’s government.”
Husseini highlighted that the exclusion of Kurds from the dialogues could jeopardize the conference’s credibility, forecasting its failure similarly to past talks in Astana, Geneva, and Sochi. Successful national dialogue, he asserted, necessitates the involvement of Kurds in both the organization and agenda-setting processes, advocating for mutual agreements with the Al-Sharra government on future proposals.
Despite the boycott, AANES has indicated a willingness to engage with the transitional government in discussions regarding crucial oil and gas management, facilitated by US mediation. Nevertheless, Husseini clarified that no final decisions have been made concerning the transfer of Kurdish oil resources to the Damascus government.
The agenda for the conference includes presentations on various crucial topics. While the first session focuses on introducing attendees, subsequent discussions will tackle a constitutional declaration, economic restructuring, transitional justice, personal freedoms, institutional reforms, and civil society roles. Invitations were extended to 550 individuals from several provinces, though many declined due to slow invitation delivery, particularly for those abroad.
Ahmed al-Sharra, the HTS-appointed interim president, emphasized that the conference is integral to a wider political process aimed at drafting a new constitution, with a timeline of up to three years, followed by elections within four years. He asserted that an inclusive process is vital for achieving long-term stability in Syria.
This dialogue occurs as the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) reportedly agree on the integration of their military units into a new Syrian governmental army. Husseini indicated that such integration would take about two years, awaiting a clear political structure for Syria to develop before committing further.
Husseini voiced concerns regarding the government’s current representation, stating, “The current Syrian government only represents the Sunnis, and this is not acceptable for the Kurds and other Syrian communities.” He added that AANES would postpone military integration until there is international consensus for a politically decentralized Syria. He proposed that the SDF’s experience in combating terrorism could play a crucial role in establishing Syria’s future national army.
The boycott by Syrian Kurds highlights significant concerns regarding the legitimacy and inclusiveness of the National Dialogue Conference. The lack of Kurdish participation is seen as a threat to the credibility of the discussions. Without Kurdish involvement, potential agreements on Syria’s future may falter, emphasizing the need for a politically decentralized governance structure to ensure representation of all communities.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
