On April 16, during contacts held in Damascus, Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Mazlum Abdi, Head of External Relations of the Autonomous Administration Ilham Ahmed, Head of the Interim Damascus Government Ahmed al-Sharaa (al-Jolani), Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Presidential Advisor Ziyad al-Ayish came together.
The meeting addressed Syria’s key political and security issues, the advancement of the integration process, and the timetable for implementing the agreed provisions. It was stated that the parties conducted a comprehensive and detailed evaluation, particularly regarding the implementation of military, administrative and political arrangements defined within the framework of the January 29 Agreement.
Questions over which topics were discussed in Damascus, the current stage of the integration process, the steps to be taken along the Rojava–Damascus line, and how the situation on the ground is evolving constituted the main axis of the meeting.
According to information obtained from local sources, a notable moment in the meeting between Ahmed al-Sharaa and Mazlum Abdi was al-Sharaa’s question to Abdi: “When are you coming to Damascus?” In previous periods, Mazlum Abdi was known to have conveyed the message, “Rather than taking part in a presidential election, I will remain among my people and engage in efforts for national unity.” However, it appears from this meeting that Ahmed al-Sharaa considers Mazlum Abdi’s role in Damascus to be a vital and inevitable step. Abdi’s potential move to Damascus, whether as a vice president or under another title, is seen as critical for the implementation of the January 29 Agreement and for addressing Syria’s unresolved political issues on the ground through SDF–Damascus coordination.
A joint governance of Syria’s unity under discussion
A key issue between the SDF and Damascus had already been on the agenda prior to the April 16 meeting. According to local sources, Damascus had, in earlier talks, conveyed a request to SDF and Autonomous Administration officials to nominate a figure who could take a position within the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Although no official statement has been made by the Syrian Interim Government on this matter, it is clear that this issue is tied to the broader integration process.
An interim formula for YPJ
During the contacts of the delegation from the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), which visited Damascus, it was reported that despite Damascus not being particularly receptive, efforts are ongoing on the ground to find a reasonable and mutually acceptable formula for women to take part within the army and Internal Security Forces. As constitutional arrangements are expected to be discussed over a longer period, urgent priorities and vital debates in Syria are coming to the forefront.
Redefining citizenship
Granting Kurdish official status; enabling the use of Kurdish and Arabic in education; ensuring that schools and universities in Rojava gain official recognition in Damascus; and allowing every university student to receive a diploma for their field of study from the Ministry of Education are among the issues on the table. The definition of citizenship and identity is also being rewritten.
The restructuring of all institutions affiliated with the Autonomous Administration into a new administrative and political framework together with state institutions is among the core elements of the integration process. From the appointment of governors to the election of mayors by the public, and from the establishment of ministries of communication, agriculture, health, economy and culture, committees formed by the parties aim to create a joint mechanism on these issues.
Economic and administrative mechanisms
The placement of joint personnel and officials is planned in areas such as oil facilities, customs points, border crossings and the airport. The opening of the Nusaybin border crossing is also expected. Although no exact date has been announced, it is anticipated that the Interim Damascus Government will make an official statement regarding the Nusaybin crossing within this month.
It is also aimed to fully ensure the return of the people of Afrin (Êfrin), who have been going back in convoys over the past month, and to enable thousands of citizens displaced by the war to return to their homes. In this context, 612 families are expected to return to Afrin. In the city of Serekaniye (Serêkanîye), there are calls for the preparatory committee to take action as soon as possible to facilitate the return of residents.
The situation of detainees remains a political crisis
The continued detention in Syrian prisons of hundreds of individuals whose fate remains unknown stands out as a political crisis. Families who have organized protests in cities across Syria demand that their children not be left to languish in prisons and be released as soon as possible.
Leave a Reply