Mazloum Abdi: We voiced the Kurds’ demands in Munich

Mazloum Abdi, Commander-in-Chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) stated in an interview with Medya Haber TV during the conference he attended together with Ilham Ehmed, Co-Chair of the Foreign Relations Department of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, that they participated in certain high-level meetings as part of a joint delegation formed with the Syrian transitional government.

“There is an agreement between us, and we are acting in accordance with its requirements. For this reason, we attended some important meetings together as a Syrian delegation,” Abdi said, adding that they preferred to act jointly on behalf of Syria.

A new phase for Rojava

Commenting on the outcomes of the conference talks, Abdi stated that the parties they met will closely monitor the process in Syria and are open to assuming a guarantor role. He noted that these developments signal a new phase for Rojava:

“We can say that there are positive approaches. These developments represent a new phase for Rojava. The Rojava administration—especially its military administration—is being officially recognized for the first time,” he said.

Ceasefire and integration

Abdi stated that the ceasefire and integration agreement signed on January 29 between the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria and the transitional government in Damascus is progressing, albeit slowly. Emphasizing that the priority is the ceasefire, he said: “It is currently being implemented. There are issues that need to be resolved. There is a consensus, but we are expecting the agreement to be put into practical effect.”

Kurdish regions will govern themselves

Commenting on the upcoming process, Abdi said that Kurdish regions will administratively govern themselves and elect their own administrators. He added that military structures will consist of local elements:

“Kurdish regions will govern themselves administratively. They will choose their own administrators. Militarily, the children of the region’s people who serve in the YPG, YPJ, and SDF will remain in their own areas, protect their regions, and assume military responsibilities. Internal security units will be coordinated with central institutions but administered by local authorities. The achievements to date in language, education, and cultural institutions will be preserved and formalized.”