No Decentralization: Syria Warns Kurds against Delay in Integrating into State
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani has urged Kurdish-led forces to swiftly integrate into the Syrian state warning that postponing this step would “prolong the chaos” in the country, according to AFP.
The minister’s remarks came as the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, announced that it was disbanding.
However, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, which control north and northeast Syria, have not commented on this announcement yet.
Importantly, Al-Shaibani described PKK’s move as “a pivotal moment” for regional stability.
Intensified Efforts for Unity
He also added that Syria is currently incorporating all areas under central state control and “implementing the national accord with the Syrian Democratic Forces.”
In March, Syria’s President Ahmad Al-Sharaa and SDF Chief Mazloum Abdi signed an agreement to integrate the civil and military institutions of Kurds into the Syrian government.
However, the deal has not stopped the Kurdish administration from criticizing the new authorities. For example, they criticized the formation of a new government and a recent constitutional declaration that placed executive power in the hands of interim President Al-Sharaa.
Kurdish Call for Decentralized Syria
Kurdish parties hosted a conference two weeks ago 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.
The event highlighted the participation of over 400 people, including representatives from major Kurdish parties in Syria, Iraq and Turkey.
Importantly, the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria and the groups opposed to it also attended the conference.
“My message to all Syrian constituents and the Damascus government is that the conference does not aim, as some say, at division,” Mazloum Abdi, Head of the Administration’s Armed Wing, the Syrian Democratic Forces, said at the event.
In this regard, 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.
Syrian Rejection of Decentralization
As a response, Syria has rejected the Kurdish demand for a decentralized state and warned against any call for separatism, AFP reported.
“We reject clearly any attempt to impose a separatist reality or to create separate entities under the cover of federalism… without a national consensus,” the presidency said in a statement in which it also condemned “the recent activities and declarations” of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) that “call for federalism,” Syrian Presidency said.
Turkish Rejection of Decentralization
Turkey has rejected any plans that may undermine Syria’s central government or threaten its sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to Reuters.
“Turkiye 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 that decentralization demands in Syria were “nothing more than a raw dream.”
Related Topics:
Kurds Host Conference to Address Role in New Syria
Syria Seeks Strong Relations with China
Saudi Arabia Condemns Israeli Strike Near Syrian Presidential Palace
