Kurdish Leaders in Syria Unite for Vision of Post-Assad Future

Report By Safarti Tarjuman International Desk

Kurdish political factions from Syria, Iraq, and Turkey gathered in Qamishlo, located in Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava), on Saturday for a significant conference to chart out their collective vision for Syria’s future after the downfall of President Bashar al-Assad.

The conference, named the “Kurdish Unity Conference”, brought together more than 400 Kurdish delegates, including representatives from various Kurdish political parties. This meeting marked an important moment in Kurdish politics, as it sought to solidify the role of Kurds in shaping the post-Assad governance structure in Syria.

Eldar Khalil, a prominent leader of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD), aligned with Iraqi Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani’s KDP party, highlighted the need for Kurds to present their ideas for Syria’s future. “As a significant part of Syria’s population, Kurds must offer clear and constructive proposals for the country’s next chapter,” Khalil stated.

The discussions focused on a range of political frameworks, with federalism being a key topic. Federalism would allow Kurdish regions to maintain a degree of autonomy while ensuring that all ethnic and religious communities in Syria are fairly represented.

Adoption of a Unified Kurdish Political Vision

At the end of the conference, Kurdish political leaders united behind a comprehensive statement calling for the creation of a “decentralized democratic” Syria that guarantees the protection of Kurdish rights. Mohamad Ismail, a senior member of the Kurdish National Council, shared that the conference had produced a joint Kurdish political vision that expresses a collective will for a fair solution to the Kurdish issue in Syria.

The statement called for constitutional guarantees for the Kurdish people, adherence to international human rights standards, and the protection of women’s rights. It also aimed to dispel any misconceptions that the conference sought to promote division within Syria following the removal of Assad.

Recognition of Kurdish Autonomy

In addition to advocating for political rights, the Kurdish leaders called on Syria’s new leadership to recognize the autonomy that Kurdish regions have established in the north and northeast over the years of civil war. As the country transitions, the Kurdish groups demand that their hard-earned self-rule be respected in the new political framework.

As the future of Syria takes shape, the Kurdish political movement remains a key player in advocating for inclusivity, democracy, and recognition of their rights within the broader national structure.