Speaking at the 6th Middle East Peace and Security Forum held in Duhok, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) General Commander Mazloum Abdi said that Rojava should be given equal opportunity in discussions about Syria’s future, and added: “The peace process Leader Apo [Abdullah Öcalan] started is not only for Turkey, but an opportunity for the entire Middle East.” Abdi pointed out that negotiations being conducted in the United States must be accelerated, and said: “We must bring the dialogue process to success by the end of the year.”
Hundreds of leaders, political representatives, diplomats, and academics from many countries and regions attended the forum in the city of Duhok in the Kurdistan Region, organized under the leadership of the American University of Kurdistan, along with Nechirvan Barzani, Masrour Barzani, and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani.
Drawing attention to developments in Northern and Eastern Syria, Mazloum Abdi said that the international community had given Damascus a chance for the reconstruction of Syria, adding: “We want the same opportunity to be valid for Rojava. We have not attacked anyone; we have not been a threat to anyone. Our presence within the Syrian security forces should not be viewed as a threat; on the contrary, it is an important element for regional security and stability.”
Abdi said the alliance must be strengthened to implement the 10 March Agreement, and underlined that efforts must be increased to establish “a new system” based on the ongoing negotiations in the United States.
Commenting on the Peace and Democratic Society Process developed by Abdullah Öcalan, the SDF General Commander said: “The peace process Leader Öcalan started in Imrali is not only an opportunity for Turkey but for the whole Middle East. We support this process. The Kurdistan Region has always stood by us. We appreciate President Masoud Barzani’s contribution both to the Kurdish dialogue in Rojava and to the peace process in Turkey. We expect this support to continue.”
Speaking about the new system to be established in Syria, Abdi said: “We will not allow a return to the centralized structure of the Assad era. After 15 years of war, a decentralized system must be established, and the components must be able to govern themselves.”