In a plenary session on Tuesday, members of the European Parliament held a comprehensive debate under the heading: “The situation in northeastern Syria, violence against civilians, and the necessity of a permanent ceasefire.” In addition to the scale of the humanitarian devastation, the main points of discussion included the balance of power behind the attacks on Rojava, the role of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Turkey’s position, and the European Union’s (EU) policy choices.
Three main issues stood at the center of the session: lifting the de facto siege on Kobanê, establishing a permanent ceasefire in northeastern Syria, and granting Rojava a clear political status. While many members of parliament argued that federation-like arrangements constitute “a realistic option that should be discussed,” they emphasized that no solution would be sustainable if the Kurds are not recognized as interlocutors in the transitional process in Damascus.
The Parliament will vote on a non-legislative resolution on Syria on Thursday.
Šuica: North-East Syria is the litmus test of democracy
Speaking on behalf of the European Commission, Dubravka Šuica drew attention to the fragility of the post-Assad period: “One year after the fall of the Assad regime, Syria remains extremely fragile. Developments in northeastern Syria will be decisive; this region is the litmus test of whether the government will truly be democratic.”
Referring to the January 30 agreement, Šuica recalled the integration of Kurdish forces into security structures and the recognition of education in the Kurdish language. At the same time, she pointed to provisions foreseeing the transfer of oil fields, airports, and border crossings to the control of Damascus, stating: “This agreement includes the integration of Kurdish forces into military and security structures, their political representation at both local and central levels, and the recognition of education in the Kurdish language; however, it also covers the transfer of critical infrastructure to government control.”
‘The threat of ISIS persists’
Addressing security risks, Šuica emphasized that the threat of ISIS persists: “The risk of an ISIS resurgence remains, and the possibility of some detainees escaping constitutes a serious security concern. In terms of risk management, Damascus remains our primary interlocutor.”
Šuica made it clear that the EU’s approach toward Syria would not be unconditional at this point: “Any engagement with Damascus cannot be unconditional. Not a single euro will be transferred to Syria without guarantees of human rights, protection of minorities, and genuine democratic oversight mechanisms. Any financial support will be subject to strict political and legal monitoring.”
Referring to past experiences, Šuica underlined that the EU’s position has changed: “We will not allow aid to become a tool that legitimizes the regime. The international community will closely monitor this process.”
Highlighting the EU’s funding framework, she stressed conditionality: “The European Union is the largest provider of humanitarian assistance; however, humanitarian aid alone is not sufficient. It must be supported by reconstruction and development financing.”
Recalling Ursula von der Leyen’s visit to Damascus, Šuica concluded: “This visit launched a new cooperation framework worth €620 million for the 2026–2027 period; however, this framework will be implemented under strict conditionality. The EU will continue dialogue for an inclusive transition.”
Nevertheless, many members of parliament argued that the framework outlined by Šuica did not sufficiently address the threat posed by HTS and its leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa (al-Jolani). According to developments on the ground, since January hundreds of thousands of people have been left without electricity, water, and food, and more than 270,000 have been displaced. However, the debate in parliament focused not only on the humanitarian catastrophe itself, but also on the question of “who is producing it and for which political calculations.”
Ter Laak warns of direct consequences for Europe
Dutch MEP Ingeborg Ter Laak (EPP) recalled the line of conflict stretching from Aleppo to Raqqa, stating that the security architecture that had contained ISIS had collapsed: “Those fighting in Syria will not remain only in Syria. This will have direct consequences for Europe.”
Hölvényi: Kurdish forces are, indirectly, still defending Europe
Hungarian MEP György Hölvényi (EPP/KDNP) directed sharp criticism at the EU. Stating that hundreds of jihadists had been released, Hölvényi called for the €620 million aid package to be made conditional: “This assistance must not be disbursed unless Damascus takes concrete steps against Islamist violence.”
Hölvényi added that escapes from camps in Rojava indicate the potential resurgence of ISIS and said, “Kurdish forces are, indirectly, still defending Europe.”
Loiseau: Kurds are Europe’s brothers-in-arms
French MEP Nathalie Loiseau (Renew Europe) described the Kurds as “Europe’s brothers-in-arms”. Calling the siege of Kobanê “unbearable,” she urged the authorities in Damascus to end the pressure on civilians. Loiseau stated that the U.S. withdrawal and Turkey’s military pressure have expanded the operational space of jihadist groups.
Abir al-Sahlani: Protection that is denied, is injustice
Swedish MEP Abir Al-Sahlani (Renew Europe), taking the floor in traditional Kurdish dress, devoted almost her entire speech to the defense of Rojava. She sharply criticized attempts by the far right to reduce the debate on Syria to a mere “migration” issue and recalled that the rise of al-Sharaa to power has left a “bitter taste” in Europe.
“Today I am standing here in Kurdish dress to honour the Kurdish women, the people who have paid a very high price for their freedom. When they answered our call for help when trying to face DAESH, the most horrible terror organization, they were not only defending their homes, but also defending our freedom. The Kurds are now asking for our help. Protection that is denied, is injustice. Justice that is postponed is justice that is denied. Kurds, we see you, we hear you, you have more friends than the mountains in the European Parliament,” she stated.
Ilaria Salis: This struggle concerns us all
Ilaria Salis from The Left group in the European Parliament – GUE/NGL stated the following:
“In recent days, we have lived with deep, dark concern for the fate of the Autonomous Administration of North-East Syria—for the present and the future of the Democratic Confederalist Revolution. We feared the worst. But, as our comrades on the ground have taught us, we never abandoned resistance, and we never lost hope.
Now, an agreement with the transitional government of Syria has been signed. If this was possible, it is thanks to the massive and powerful mobilization of the peoples of North-East Syria. It is thanks to the upheaval of the Kurdish people across Turkey, Iraq, and Iran. And it is also thanks to internationalist solidarity. Now, our responsibility is clear: we must stay vigilant. We must ensure that every single term of this agreement is respected. We are not naïve. We know that agreements are often disrespected and always reflect relations of power.
That is why it is up to us—up to all those who believe in universal human rights, social justice, and peaceful coexistence among peoples—to do everything we can to strengthen DAANES. Democratic confederalism is not just a regional project. It is a concrete alternative of peace and justice in a world increasingly dominated by nationalism, suprematism, and violence.
It is for the Kurds, but not only for the Kurds. It is for Arabs, Assyrians, Armenians, Yazidis, and Turkmen. It is for women. It is for everyone who wishes to live free. This struggle concerns us all. And may this beautiful revolution continue to inspire us – we need it. Biji Rojava!”
Schirdewan: Jihadism in a suit is no less deadly
German MEP Martin Schirdewan (The Left) stated that he does not consider it a “coincidence” that Ursula von der Leyen’s visit to Damascus coincided with attacks against Kurds in Aleppo. Schirdewan argued that the United States and the European Union have betrayed the Kurds and declared: “Jihadism in a suit is no less deadly.” He called for the recognition of Kurdish autonomy and concluded his speech with “Bijî Rojava.”
Maniatis: Words are not enough anymore
Yannis Maniatis from Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament remarked that the agreement of the 30th of January is an important step towards stabilisation but that it should lead to a real, inclusive transition which will respect the self-government of northeastern Syria.
“The transitional government has to prove that it means what it says. Words are not enough anymore. We need specific actions that will assure the political and cultural rights of all the religious and ethnic minorities of Syria. The EU has the responsibility to support actively this procedure. How can Syria move towards peace, when the remnants of jihadist elements risk replacing one form of authoritarian rule with another,” Maniatis said.
Neumann: Kurdish representatives have to have a seat at the table in Damascus
Hannah Neumann from the Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance said: For decades, the Kurdish regions have been the most democratic and inclusive parts of Syria where they are the blueprint for the Syria many Syrians hope for. Kurdish rights are now written into a degree, but real rights must be enshrined into the constitution, and Kurdish representatives have to have a seat at the table in Damascus.
Llodra: Europe has an interest-based policy
Jaume Asens Llodra from the Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance stated: “Talking about Syria today is also talking about the structural hypocrisy of Europe. Whilst we set sanctions on Iran in the name of human rights, we have Gaza and we look away when faced with crimes by Turkey and the Syrians in Syria. Human rights: why sanctions on Iran, but not Turkey or Syria? Because Turkey has a European border, and Syria is run by someone we saw as a terrorist, but now is a useful ally. Europe does not have a human rights policy. It has an interest-based policy.
Demirel: Berxwedan Jiyan e
Özlem Demirel from The Left group in the European Parliament – GUE/NGL said: “The Kurds have been distributed over 4 states for decades, their existence has been denied, suppressed. Nevertheless, they have managed to build something that expressed hope, Rojava. It was democratic, a hope for all of us. They fought ISIS, and as gratitude, they have been sold up the river by the west. Von der Leyen is cooperating with al Shaara, a former ISIS terrorist, giving him millions in assistance despite massacres carried out on Alawites, Kurds, and the Druze. We are quiet while Kobane is under siege. But, colleagues, the Kurds have an expression; Berxwedan Jiyan e (Resistance is life). Throughout their history, the Kurds have fought, and they are still there, they will continue to fight for a democratic, sustainable and just solution for the Middle East, for all peoples. And that is regardless of what the commission does. They will continue to fight.”
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