Commenting on the agreement reached between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF/QSD) and the Damascus administration, Saleh Muslim, a member of the PYD Co-Presidency Council, said: “The agreement is a beginning, but its implementation on the ground depends on Damascus. The people must remain vigilant.”
Speaking to Mezopotamya Agency, Muslim emphasized that under the agreement the existing military structure will be preserved, and that local administrations and internal security forces will remain under Kurdish control.
“The gains achieved by the Kurds so far will be protected. Education, institutions, and internal security structures will continue as they are. Internal Security Forces will remain in place. In some areas, a limited number of personnel from certain state institutions may be present, but overall administration will be entirely in our hands,” the Kurdish politician said.
Muslim stated that with this agreement a major danger aimed at eliminating the Kurds has been averted, but warned that caution is necessary, recalling that some agreements made in the past were not implemented.
Noting that the implementation of the agreement on the ground depends on Damascus, he added: “However, the people must remain vigilant, because previous agreements were not respected.”
“We must be prepared in every field, from self-defense to security,” Muslim said, adding that the necessary measures will be taken.
Touching on the return of displaced citizens, Muslim said that people who were forced to flee from Afrin, Serêkaniyê, and Girê Spî will return to their lands in the coming period.
He noted that the United States and France are in the position of guarantors, with South Kurdistan also being part of the process.
“In conclusion, this agreement is a beginning; it is an important step taken toward further advances,” he added.