HESEKE – SDF General Commander Mazloum Abdi said there is agreement with Damascus on military matters, but that there will be no general agreement until fundamental issues are resolved. Abdi said; “The participation of the SDF strengthens the Syrian army and brings peace to the region.”
With its strategic location, underground resources and demographic structure, North and East Syria takes an important position in the Middle East and is one of the main topics on the domestic and foreign policy agenda. One of the main topics of the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Syrian Interim Government President Ahmed Al-Sharaa on 10 November was the situation in North and East Syria. The integration process in Syria and how the Democratic Syrian Forces (SDF) would be included in this integration was one of the topics of the meeting.
In addition, the relations between the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria and Turkey were also on the agenda. Mazloum Abdi, General Commander of the SDF, recently participated in the 6th Middle East Peace and Security Forum held in the city of Duhok in the Federal Kurdistan Region, where he made important statements on the ongoing Peace and Democratic Society Process and national unity.
Mazloum Abdi provided important assessments to the Mezopotamya Agency (MA) regarding developments in the region.
In the first part of our interview, we covered his assessments on the Duhok contacts, the Trump-Sharaa meeting, the Autonomous Administration-Damascus contacts, the integration process, and the 10 March Agreement.
Before moving on to current developments, I would like to start with your visit to the Federal Kurdistan Region. You attended the forum in Duhok with Ilham Ahmed. How were you received, and what was the approach to the North and East Syria delegation?
We had been asked to attend this forum some time ago. We consider this visit important. We see it as the beginning of a new process. Participating in such a forum in Duhok during this period is quite important for North and East Syria. It will also mark a new beginning in our relations with the South (the Kurdistan Region). New relations will develop. We were warmly welcomed. Our relations with our brothers in the South are quite natural.
You also held important meetings. You met with Kurdistan Democrat Party (KDP) President Masoud Barzani and President of the Kurdistan Region Nechirvan Barzani. Were these meetings only within the scope of the visit, or did you also discuss certain issues?
We focused on issues of peace and dialogue in the Middle East, issues concerning North and East Syria, and issues concerning all Kurds.
This is not the first time we have met with the Kurdistan Regional Government. It was a continuation of previous visits. We discussed many current developments. There were common issues of interest to both sides. National unity was on our agenda, and we held consultations on this. We also focused on our dialogue with the Damascus government. We shared our views. South Kurdistan's support for North and East Syria is an important issue, and we discussed it. In general, we focused on issues of peace and dialogue in the Middle East, issues concerning North and East Syria, and issues concerning all Kurds. The outcome was positive.
Was the Semelka Gate and relations with North and East Syria on the agenda?
Of course, we always discuss these matters. Strengthening relations, improving travel... Rather than the Semelka Gate, South Kurdistan should play an important role in the reconstruction of Syria, in terms of the economy and investments. Because we are neighbours, and we are also brothers. We emphasised that not only South Kurdistan, but also the Kurds in the north and the diaspora should play a strong role, especially in the reconstruction of North and East Syria.
What was the approach of the officials you met to the issues you mentioned?
It was generally positive. They also need this and are ready for it.
You mentioned at the beginning of your speech that achieving democratic unity among Kurdish parties is an important issue. You also organised a conference for this purpose in May. What is the status of the unity efforts, and to what extent was this issue raised in your recent discussions?
It is gratifying that all Kurds and Kurdish political organisations have embraced the peace process advanced by Leader Apo (Abdullah Öcalan). We expressed this at the conference, and everyone else did too. We hope this will lay the groundwork for unity among all Kurdistan organisations. This issue came up in all our discussions. We saw that all forces had a positive approach to it. Representatives of the Syrian Kurdish Council were also there. We had the opportunity to discuss how we can strengthen unity in Rojava.
We have a problem; a joint Kurdish delegation was formed, but it could not participate in the negotiation process due to the approach of the Damascus regime/government. We made many attempts to send the delegation to Damascus to discuss and implement the articles related to the Kurdish issue and the Kurdish issue in the 10 March Agreement. However, this did not happen. This is a problem. We are also working to further strengthen the delegation formed at the conference. We agree that the delegation formed at the conference should not only work on negotiations but also represent all Kurds in Rojava (both inside and outside). We have also asked our brothers in the South to support this. We expect the conference delegation to be more active in the coming period.
Why is Damascus not meeting with the delegation that has been formed, and what reasons is it giving?
They want to resolved military and security issues. They want to resolve this first, and the move on to constitutional and joint government issues.
The reasons are indeed reasons! We do not agree with these reasons. They say that military issues must be resolved first. They want to resolved military and security issues. We also need to agree on administrative issues. They say they want to resolve this (military issues) first, and the move on to constitutional and joint government issues. This approach is not correct but they insist on it. In the coming period, we want military and security issues to be resolved in order to resolve the Kurdish file and other files.
We will discuss the details of the talks with Damascus, but first I would like to ask about an important meeting. North and East Syria featured prominently in the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Syrian Interim Government President Ahmed El Sharaa. You also met with Tom Barack afterwards. What was discussed?
The details of Syrian President Ahmed Sharaa's meeting at the White House were conveyed to us by Mr Tom Barack. As far as we were told, it went well. The issue of North and East Syria and the SDF were discussed with Trump. More precisely, Trump asked about them and received answers. It went well. They told President Trump that they had the will to find a solution. They conveyed that their relations with the SDF were good and that they wanted to resolve the issue. Overall, a positive approach emerged.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan was also present. Discussions were held with him as well. As far as we understand, President Trump wanted issues to be resolved without war and through dialogue. They agreed to this. The sacrifices made by the SDF and the SDF’s fight against DAESH to date were also mentioned.
Was anything conveyed to you about what stance Turkey took?
What was conveyed to us about the meeting with President Trump at the White House, the meeting attended by Mr Fidan after the meeting, and the meetings attended by the three foreign ministers was that the Turkish side voiced some complaints. They always do. They say that the SDF is moving slowly. They have again expressed their reactions to certain issues. However, as far as we understand, they were not as sharp this time. They did not use threatening or harsh language. They mostly expressed their demands for a solution.
How will the implementation of the positive points you mentioned affect the region?
Our main problem is that positive things are discussed at the meetings, but what is discussed does not happen in practice. This is one of our most fundamental problems. After the Washington meeting, we now expect practical steps to be taken Practical steps must be taken in the coming period.
Since the issue of military forces is now on our agenda and we have reached agreement on this matter at the recent meeting in Damascus, we hope that some practical steps will be taken and that an agreement will be reached. Although there are problems with some details, we want to resolve them. However, our fundamental issues are participation in parliament/government and constitutional change. We are working on this too; there needs to be clarity here and steps must be taken.
The Kurdish delegation should also go to Damascus to ensure that the rights of the Kurds are protected in the Syrian constitution, along with those of other components. Because this is also part of the 10 March Agreement.
What stage are your relations with Ahmed Shara at? It was said that you would have a meeting after Washingto visit?
Şam yetkilileri ve Amerikan yetkilileriyle birlikte yeniden üçlü toplantı yapmak için çalışıyoruz. Belki Şam’da belki de üçüncü bir yerde yeni adımlar için bir araya gelebiliriz.
We have meeting schedules. Actually, we were supposed to meet with Ahmed Sharaa before his trip to Washington. However, this was postponed until after the Washington meeting. The main thing is for the negotiation teams to meet each other and carry out practical work. Now we want to hold a trilateral meeting once again; us, the Damascus officials and the American officials. The delegations may meet in Damascus or perhaps a third location to discuss taking new steps.
Is it possible that the meeting will take place in a third location?
It is possible; this is also on the agenda.
What points have you agreed upon with Damascus in your meetings so far?
The main point we agreed on is the ceasefire agreement. This is one of the most important points of the 10 March Agreement. The ceasefire has been in effect since the alliance. Although minor problems sometimes arise, there is a will on both sides to avoid conflict. There is a will to resolve issues through dialogue. It has worked so far. This was one of the most significant outcomes of the 10 March Alliance.
Although there are some problems in the rhetoric, care is taken to use appropriate language in official statements. Instead of confrontational language, careful language is used to emphasise that problems should be resolved through dialogue. There are such positive aspects.
The rights of the Kurds and how other components will be included in the constitution are still pending. Without these, a general agreement is not possible.
Although it has not been signed and is not official, we reached an agreement on military issues at the last meeting in Damascus, which was also attended by American officials. On the point of what kind of participation there will be. There is an agreement, although there is a possibility that some problems may arise. However, the fundamental issues remain. The constitution and the form of government in Syria (whether it will be centralised or not) are important issues. The rights of the Kurds and how other components will be included in the constitution are still pending. Without these, a general agreement is not possible.
There is curiosity about the integration of the SDF, and you also indicated that there is an agreement on military matters. What kind of integration will there be on military matters, or will the SDF disband itself?
Such matters are not discussed in the press. We want this in military matters, they want that... Many times, such issues have been covered in the press. However, we do not consider this appropriate. Because these are military matters. These can be resolved through negotiations. But in general, I can say this: the SDF consists of all components of North and East Syria. It also includes thousands of people outside this region. It has been working with the international coalition for over 10 years. It has gained experience in fighting DAESH.
I believe that the SDF's participation will strengthen the Syrian army and bring peace. No one should fear this.
It is the largest organised force in Syria. Therefore, it must regularly join the Syrian army. This strengthens the Syrian army. It strengthens it with its experience and numbers. I believe that the SDF's participation will strengthen the Syrian army and bring peace. No one should fear this. On the contrary, they should view it positively. We want to protect the efforts of SDF fighters and ensure they are not wasted. We want the blood shed by SDF fighters not to be wasted. We want the SDF to join the army in a manner befitting all this. It should have an important role in the army. Other matters are details that will be discussed in negotiations.
There are many articles in the 10 March Agreement. What are the obstacles to this agreement? Some parties accuse you on this issue. Is this true?
Those who accuse us could defend their views at the beginning. But now they cannot. Especially after the talks in Damascus. As is known, there was going to be a meeting in Paris two months ago. Everyone knows that the Autonomous Administration and the SDF side were ready for this. America, France and Britain know this fact. Because we share the written documents we prepare, the documents we prepare for negotiations, with everyone. Everyone is informed in a timely manner. Everyone knows that the problem does not stem from us. It is the other parties who are perpetuating and exacerbating this problem. I believe everyone knows this. No one is saying to us, "You are late."
Everyone knows that the problem does not stem from us. It is the other parties who are perpetuating and exacerbating this problem.
I can mention some points that I consider important; we have sent our views on administrative matters. We have even sent our views in writing on the protection of the Deir ez-Zor region, as well as on oil and border crossings.
We have also sent our recommendations on the integration of the SDF and how it will join the army. We have also submitted the names of those to be appointed. However, we have not yet received a response. We are now awaiting a response. Or we are awaiting a new appointment for a meeting so that we can discuss certain matters on paper. Confidence-building measures are also necessary. Some confidence-building measures must also be taken. They want it from us, and we want it too. There is the issue of the return of the people of Afrin and Serakaniye. All Syrians have returned, but our areas are still closed. There is a problem. For example, children have been educated outside the control of the Syrian state for 12 years. The diplomas of children in Idlib and Azez have been accepted, but we still have not resolved that issue. There are some issues like this. Perhaps they also have concerns about security. We want these problems to be solved by taking some practical steps. This requires a strong will. We are proposing this from our side, and they should also make proposals.
Names from the Autonomous Administration frequently call for a new constitution. Why is a new constitution so necessary and important for Syria?
It consists of two parts. There are some articles in the constitution that conflict with the 10 March Alliance. I also mentioned this in my meeting with Ahmet Sharaa. These must be resolved first. Certain articles of the current constitution must be amended in line with the 10 March Alliance. So that everyone can have a place in the government. Regulations must be made regarding the rights of the Kurds.
Certain articles of the current constitution must be amended in line with the 10 March Alliance. So that everyone can have a place in the government.
The other is drafting a new constitution for Syria. This may take time. Perhaps two to three years of work will be required. All parties must be represented on the committee that will draft this new constitution. This has not yet been formed. We want representatives from all factions to be on this committee so that a suitable constitution can be drafted for Syria.
Do you have any contact with other peoples and faiths? Because other peoples, particularly the Druze and Alawites, also have certain demands.
We have relations with all components of Syria. Everyone is represented within the SDF. There are Druze, Alawites, Sunnis, Ismailis, Christians. This relationship is not new; it existed during the Assad regime and continues now. They understand us, and we understand them. Sometimes there is a situation where we act and work together politically. However, we want this to be more regular.
In the talks with Damascus, we want not only representatives from North and East Syria to be present, but also representatives of the Druze. We want what we want for North and East Syria for other places as well.
For example, in the talks with Damascus, we want not only representatives from North and East Syria to be present, but also representatives of the Druze. We want the Alawite delegation to be present too. Everyone in Syria must talk to each other so that a general agreement can be reached. Unfortunately, this is not yet the case. However, we have good relations with everyone. Politically, we want what we want for North and East Syria for other places as well. We want them to be part of these talks too, so that we can achieve something lasting.
TOMORROW: Did the Autonomous Administration make contact with Abdullah Öcalan?
Is DAESH still a threat?
Will Mazloum Abdi visit Turkey?
What influenced Mazloum Abdi most during the Rojava Revolution?
How many assassination attempts have there been?
MA / Azad Altay