Salih Muslim, a member of the Presidency Board of the Kurdistan Democratic Union Party (PYD), underlined the ongoing fight against terrorism, the challenges facing West Kurdistan (north and east Syria) in its dealings with the Damascus government, and the importance of decentralisation. He also highlighted the decisive role of regional and international actors in resolving the Kurdish question.
In an exclusive interview with Kurdistani Nwe, Muslim said: “The whole world knows that we have been on the frontlines of the fight against terrorism since 2012. After liberating West Kurdistan from the forces of the former Syrian regime, we began the war on terror — a war that continues to this day.”
Referring to the talks with Damascus, Muslim said: “We want to resolve our differences with the Damascus government peacefully, because war is not a solution and we do not seek the division of Syria. The Kurdish question is an international issue that must be resolved through international efforts. International forces also want peace in the Middle East because no one emerges victorious from war. But Damascus seeks an unfair peace, while we want a fair peace — without which lasting peace in Syria will remain elusive.”
He further stated: “An oppressive and dictatorial state is not the solution. The only viable path for West Kurdistan is democracy. The best system for our region is decentralisation, which can take various forms, including autonomy, regional governance, federalism, or even confederation.
“We will never accept a return to a fully centralised system in Syria, nor the conditions that existed before 2011,” he said. “If the new Syrian government refuses to recognise decentralisation, we will be forced to demand independence. The dissolution of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is unacceptable. Our region must remain protected by our own forces — a principle for which the SDF was established.”
Commenting on the peace process in Turkey, Muslim said: “Turkey cannot demand peace inside its country and at the same time threaten the Kurds in West Kurdistan, so the Turkish government is forced to change its position on this issue. We Kurds have not been hostile to Turkey, we have no problems with Turkey, we have taken up arms to demand our rights in Syria. Turkey must also put pressure on the Damascus government to resolve the Kurdish issue.”
On the relations between Kurds across the four parts of Kurdistan, Salih Muslim stated: “The Kurdish people must remain united across all four parts of Kurdistan. Relations between West Kurdistan and South Kurdistan are particularly close, especially with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. In 2014, when Peshmerga forces moved to Kobanê, the Kurdish people as a whole welcomed them with great joy. I hope the spirit of unity and brotherhood will continue to guide us, with the Kurdish people defending their rights through politics and diplomacy.”
He added: “The PYD and the PUK (Patriotic Union of Kurdistan) maintain a strategic relationship. Since the establishment of the PYD, the PUK has provided consistent support, and this partnership can be further expanded. The PUK has backed West Kurdistan in all its achievements, including within the framework of the international coalition against ISIS.”