Sozdar Heci, a member of the General Command of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), assessed developments in Syria over the past year and the negotiations held with the Damascus government, saying that the 10 March Agreement responds to the demands of all peoples in Syria.
Heci pointed to key events and developments in 2024–2025 and said: “Particularly in our region, many serious developments and changes have taken place, and they unfolded very rapidly. The Syrian state, ruled for more than sixty years by the Baath Party and shaped by the influence of Iran, Turkey, Hezbollah, and many forces aligned with their interests, has collapsed. With this change, all existing balances were transformed. Because Syria holds a strategic geographic position and borders many states, this shift has also had a major impact on the wider region.”
No change in Baathist ideology
Heci said: “Neighboring states have always sought to impose their dominance over the existing system. The collapse of that system brought significant benefits for the people; however, had a democratic system been established in its place; the outcomes would have been far more positive. As a force and a system in North and East Syria, we continue to carry out our political and administrative work and to develop our strategy of social democracy in the strategic sphere. We have been advancing along this path for more than a decade. The changes that have occurred have affected both us and our relations with Syria.
Iran and Russia had strong ties with Syria, and Russia continues to maintain its relations with the country. Yet despite the collapse of the existing system and the emergence of a new structure in its place, there has been no change in Baathist ideology.”
HTS was brought to power by international forces
Sozdar Heci commented on the impact of the collapse of the Baath regime on North and East Syria and said: “On 27 November 2024, an operation was launched in Syria from areas under the control of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). At first, it did not appear to be a comprehensive plan, but later it became clear, through agreements also acknowledged by HTS, that the way was opened for HTS to take control of all of Syria. This also meant that international powers would no longer act in tandem with the Baath regime, and that the alliances established by the regime had rendered it unable to serve major and neighboring states. However, the collapse of such a deeply rooted and well-organized state within just twelve days was not the work of internal forces, but of external ones.
HTS, one of the groups that launched the offensive, advanced as far as Aleppo and onward to Damascus. Despite this, there was no face-to-face fighting along the route from Aleppo to Damascus, and Damascus was taken.”
We did not step back from protecting our people
Sozdar Heci said the people of Afrin (Efrîn)–Shahba and Aleppo were subjected to intense attacks by Turkish-state-affiliated mercenaries. She added: “At the outset, these attacks took place in Tell Rifaat and Shahba, and even in Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud (Şêxmeqsûd) and Ashrafieh (Eşrefiyê) neighborhoods. Whenever they find an opportunity, these groups continue their assaults. There was strong resistance against them in Sherawa, Tell Rifaat, and Shahba. Because our people were subjected to massacres, we, as commanders of the SDF and the YPJ, assessed the situation. One reality was clear.
For this reason, before these groups further intensified their attacks, and until another decision was taken, we needed to assume a solid position to protect the population. The fighting then spread to Manbij, Qereqozaq, the Tishrin Dam, and Deir Hafir. Along these lines, major clashes and acts of resistance took place.
The resistance also extended to areas that had previously been liberated from former Baathist settlements, where we sought to protect local populations from mercenary groups and ISIS. We took up positions against these groups along the line from Deir Hafir and Maskanah to Athriya and Deir ez-Zor (Dêrazor).”
Heci also said: “The approach these groups adopted toward us was the same as the one they have pursued for years. Their mindset was not about liberating Syria from the Baath regime or realizing a people’s revolution for freedom. On the contrary, their war was directed against democracy and the system of self-administration.
All attacks on our forces were carried out with the technology and support of a state that possesses NATO’s second-largest army. In response, however, young people from all segments of society mounted strong resistance using the tactics of that period. In this context, at the Tishrin Dam, people from all walks of life, including children, resisted for months to protect the dam. This resistance provided a concrete example of how a democratic society can protect itself and its defenders.”
SDF achieved major successes together with the International Coalition
Sozdar Heci stated the SDF has been working to prevent ISIS from regaining strength and said: “This war created a security vacuum in the region. ISIS sought to exploit this and return to the area in force. That attempt was blocked when SDF forces moved into Deir ez-Zor, Mayadin and Al-Bukamal.
Previously, attacks were carried out against us and our regions through certain tribes aligned with the Baath regime under the name Difaa al-Watani, and most importantly through ISIS. The SDF’s entry into Deir ez-Zor shattered ISIS’s ambitions.
The SDF’s movement into these areas was carried out safely. The region was later transferred in a secure manner to the Syrian Interim Government. This step was taken to demonstrate that we represent the same country. At the same time, very successful steps were taken against ISIS. ISIS still seeks to reestablish itself in the region whenever it finds an opportunity. Throughout the year, there were dozens of attempted attacks by ISIS against us. In response, the SDF carried out successful operations in cooperation with the International Coalition.”
The call for peace and a democratic society had a positive impact on the region
Heci said Abdullah Öcalan’s Call for Peace and a Democratic Society had a strong and positive impact on North and East Syria. She said: “During the year, Abdullah Öcalan’s Call for Peace and a Democratic Society was made public. This call was like a remedy to stop wars. At such a sensitive moment, Abdullah Öcalan called for a ceasefire so that problems could be resolved through dialogue. The negotiations being conducted must be free and democratic. His call affected North and East Syria as well as all of Syria. An agreement was reached following the call. For this reason, Öcalan’s call was timely and carried great moral significance, because it was grounded in belief.”
The 10 March Agreement was a response to Öcalan’s call
Sozdar Heci went on to address the 10 March Agreement signed between the SDF and the Syrian transitional government. Heci said: “An agreement was signed on 10 March 2025. It was a timely agreement and constituted a response to Abdullah Öcalan’s call. The 10 March Agreement prevented society from being subjected to genocide and offered an opportunity for all forces to assess how they could communicate with one another.
The provisions of the agreement are also important and must be taken seriously to prevent the destruction of people and the repetition of past events. We have waged a struggle to build society on a democratic, ecological, and women’s liberationist basis, and we have lost thousands of martyrs. For this reason, we cannot continue life as before.
This agreement does not deny what happened in the past or the actions that were carried out. On the contrary, it constitutes a response for all communities, and particularly for the Kurdish people. Within this agreement, the existence of the Kurdish people is recognized so that they can live as citizens in all countries and serve their homeland. It is based on the principle that every community should live with its own identity, language, and culture.
However, none of the provisions of this agreement have been implemented so far. The only article that has been put into effect is the cessation of the war. Despite this, clashes have continued across Syria.”
Tomorrow: A closer look at the Syrian transitional government’s policies over the past year, Syria’s overall political trajectory and future, the role of Kurds and the YPJ, and what lies ahead…