Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) General Commander Mazloum Abdi shared his assessment of the developments in Rojava and Syria in a special program on Ronahî TV. Referring to the details of the agreement reached between the SDF and Damascus, Abdi said: “This was a process. This process began on 18 January. At that time, an agreement was reached, but its framework was limited. We went to Damascus and held a meeting with al-Sharaa. Today, we also had a phone call with al-Sharaa and mutually signed the agreement. With this agreement, our main goal is to ensure a ceasefire. There was a major threat of massacre against our people. We did everything we could to prevent this. We saw that international forces were not in a position to stop such a massacre, so we made this agreement to protect the rights of our people.”
Stating that the agreement covers all Kurdish cities and villages, Abdi said: “According to the agreement, the Syrian army will not enter Kurdish cities, including villages. This applies to the Cizîr region and Kobanê. Integration will begin on 2 February and will continue. A force affiliated with the Transitional Syrian Government will come to Hesekê and Qamishlo to oversee this integration. Their work will continue until integration is completed. Once integration is finished, there will be no need for them. Asayish forces affiliated with the Internal Security Forces will ensure security in the cities. Committees have been established. Both we and Damascus have formed committees. These committees will work together on administrative matters. They will not take over the general security or administration of the cities. There are some state institutions, and they will only be able to operate within those. Our people should stand by their forces and support the existing administrative institutions so that this process can succeed.”
Blockade on Kobanê will be lifted
Speaking about the gains achieved through the agreement, Mazlum Abdî said: “Our goals were greater than what we have achieved today. The efforts made should not be underestimated. The agreement is focused on protecting Kurdish cities politically, militarily and administratively. Our achievements will be protected. We have objectives, and the struggle to reach them will continue. The gains achieved in culture and education will be preserved. Talks on education will continue, and we will do everything we can to protect these achievements. Everywhere, decisions will be taken by local councils. Those currently in office will continue their duties. Administrations in Kurdish cities will continue. The gains of the revolution will be protected. There are some shortcomings, and we will struggle to address them. The SDF will officially be part of the Syrian army in the form of brigades and will ensure the protection of the cities where they are currently stationed. The blockade on Kobanê will be lifted. Once the agreement comes into force, soldiers affiliated with the Syrian army in both Kobanê and the Cizîr region will withdraw. Our forces will also leave the cities. Once this happens, the blockade will end.”
Everyone will stay in their place
Regarding the future status of cities such as Serêkaniyê and Afrin, which are under the control of Turkey-backed paramilitary forces, Mazloum Abdi said: “They are not under our control. Afrin is a Kurdish city. Ninety percent of its population is Kurdish. The provisions of this agreement should also apply there. This agreement was made for Kurdish cities, and Afrin is a Kurdish city. This may take some time, but eventually it will happen. Those living there will return to their homes. In the future, agreements made for Kurdish cities will also apply to cities not under our control. Everyone will stay in their place. The task of the forces coming to Hesekê and Qamishlo is to administer existing and currently non-existent state institutions and to rebuild them. Existing institutions affiliated with the Autonomous Administration will be integrated into the state. The governor of Hesekê will be determined by the Kurdish people and by the SDF. Those currently working in existing institutions will continue their duties.”
We must work for Kurdish unity
Emphasizing that the agreement was made within a defined timeframe, Abdi continued: “This agreement was made as part of a process. International forces are also part of this process. The United States and France are involved in every aspect of this agreement. They will monitor the process. Trump himself discussed this agreement with al-Sharaa. Macron spoke several times, and personally stated that he would act as a political guarantor before we signed the agreement. The guarantor states must now fulfill their responsibilities more carefully. Regarding those captured during the conflict, we had previously reached an agreement with Damascus. After the signing of this agreement, this issue is one of our main priorities. We will closely follow the situation of detainees. Recently, there were offers for me to take up a position within the state, but I proposed my colleagues instead. From now on, we will remain among our people. We must work for Kurdish unity. I will continue to do whatever falls on my shoulders in this regard. We will be with our people and by their side. In this process, we will work together to address the shortcomings that our people see.”
Proud of the support
Referring to the support actions, Abdi said: “It is impossible not to feel proud of the actions and events organized by Kurds in this recent period. This gave us great morale. These actions were extremely effective in the steps taken and drew the world’s attention to Rojava. I thank each and every person who took part in these marches and actions. Kurdish parties everywhere passed an important test. In South Kurdistan, all parties were with us on a daily basis and did everything they could. They made a significant contribution in this process, both materially and morally.
I cannot list their names one by one, but we thank them all. This gave us great morale. The people of Rojava have been with us since 2011. Whether in Afrin, Kobanê or Aleppo, the people have always been on the front lines everywhere. We were together during this period, and we will continue to be together. We have gone through very difficult processes: ISIŞ, Turkey’s attacks and these latest attacks… We have overcome many hardships, and we will overcome them again.
We will continue to struggle together to protect the achievements of the Kurdish people. Some circles are not pleased with this agreement, and we are aware of that. There are also aspects we are not satisfied with. Our people’s expectations were high. However, we did this to end the conflict. We promise our people that we will continue to struggle until all our achievements are fully protected.
Everyone who was forced to leave their home should return. Return to the cities not under SDF administration and let us struggle together there. We have given thousands of martyrs and have many veterans. It is impossible to forget them. This is our reason to further strengthen the struggle. We remember them with respect. We promise to expand the struggle even more. In this struggle, our people must stand shoulder to shoulder with us so that we can achieve our goals.”