The Democratic Autonomous of North and East Syria released a statement on the first anniversary of the fall of the Ba’athist regime in Syria.
The statement on Sunday includes the following:
“On the first anniversary of the fall of the Ba’athist regime in Syria, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria recalls the many decades of practices employed by that regime during its rule, accompanied by policies of marginalization and tyranny, and the suppression of the free will of the Syrian people, especially the patriots demanding democracy, change, and the building of a pluralistic homeland worthy of the sacrifices of its people.
The years of war in Syria have clearly demonstrated the mentality of the regime, which employed the most heinous methods to confront the Syrians’ aspirations for freedom and dignity. Arrests, enforced disappearances, ethnic and religious discrimination, the dismantling of society, and the plundering of the country’s resources were hallmarks of the era that Syrians endured for decades.
On this historic occasion, the Autonomous Administration extends its warmest congratulations to the families of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of Syria and the dignity of its people, and to all Syrian people, in all their components and sects. The fall of the Ba’athist regime was a long-awaited dream for Syrians, and with its realization, this day has become a symbol of the triumph of the people’s will and a national celebration expressing their just aspirations for the future.
The fall of that tyrannical regime constituted an important step towards realizing some of the Syrians’ hopes and ambitions. However, the most important and longest path still lies ahead of us all; serious work to build a democratic, free, and decentralized Syria, where rights are protected, differences are respected, and tyranny, injustice, and marginalization are eliminated. This historic stage is the most dangerous and sensitive in the trajectory of modern Syria, and it requires national awareness, an inclusive vision, and joint action.
In this context, the Autonomous Administration believes that the steps taken by the Transitional Government in Syria during the past year, starting with the national dialogue that did not include representatives of all Syrian components, through the formation of the government, and up to the last parliamentary elections, did not express the essence of the Syrians’ demands, their reality, or their aspirations, especially the massacres that were committed in the coast and Sweida, which undermined the principle of national unity and led to a dangerous societal division that encouraged hate speech, incitement, and extremism.
These measures are very similar to the practices of the Ba’athist regime itself over the past half-century, characterized by the exclusion of national forces, a lack of transparency, unilateral decision-making, and disregard for the people’s will.
In conclusion, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria affirms that the current stage requires all Syrian parties, along with the international community, to intensify their efforts and join forces to ensure that Syria becomes a true beacon for freedom, democracy, justice, and equality. On this occasion, we call upon the Transitional Government to adopt a comprehensive and participatory national policy that guarantees the building of a new homeland worthy of all Syrians without exception. This can be achieved through launching a comprehensive and serious national dialogue among all representatives of the Syrian people, ensuring the safe return of the migrants, internally displaced persons, and refugees, and activating rapid mechanisms to achieve the goals of the Syrian people in all areas.
Glory and eternity to the martyrs. Freedom and democracy for the people of Syria in all their components.”