Middle East
Syrian presidency calls SDF federalism bid ‘threat to unity’

The Syrian Presidency explicitly rejected the call for federalism voiced at the Kurdish Conference organized by the SDF, describing it as a “threat to national unity.”
The Syrian Presidency opposed the call for decentralization and federalism by Kurdish groups in the country, stating that these demands contradict the spirit of the HTS-SDF integration agreement dated March 10.
The emphasis on “decentralization,” with a reference to a federal structure, at the Kurdish conference held last Saturday in Qamishli, created a new tension with the Damascus administration. A statement from the office of Interim President Ahmed Shara stated that initiatives for federalism and autonomy are unacceptable in terms of “national unity and sovereignty.”
Shara’s office drew attention to the HTS-SDF integration agreement signed on March 10, emphasizing that the call for federalism is incompatible with the fundamental principles of this agreement. The statement called on the SDF to show loyalty to the spirit of the agreement and the principle of national unity.
It was alleged that the SDF is attempting to monopolize decision-making mechanisms in the northeast, that the functioning of Syrian state institutions in the region is being obstructed, and that national resources are being monopolized by non-state entities. It was stated that these steps deepen the division of Syria and undermine its sovereignty.
With the aim of creating a common political vision among Kurds, the “Rojava Kurdish Unity and Common Stance Conference” was held last Saturday in Qamishli. The conference, gathered in the region where the political wing of the US-backed SDF declared unilateral autonomy, aimed to draw a common “Kurdish vision” after HTS overthrew the Assad administration. The conference, led by PYD and ENKS, was attended by 400 delegates from Syria as well as neighboring countries, including DEM representatives from Turkey.
The conference’s final declaration also stated that a common vision for a “decentralized, democratic state” that guarantees the rights of Kurds was agreed upon, saying:
“Our historical responsibilities and the requirements of the current process necessitate the creation of a common Kurdish view through collective will and a just solution to the Kurdish issue in Syria, such as democracy and decentralization.”
At the same time, it was also decided to quickly form a joint Kurdish delegation to conduct direct negotiations with the Damascus administration.