The recent israeli airstrikes in Damascus have heightned tensions Among the many stakeholders in the region. As Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and one of the most senior leders in the kurds-literatic autonomous administration of northe and east syria (daanes), kurdish leather general mazloum abdi. Player in a region with a complex and unique set of security and governance challenges. While Interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa and The Damascus Government has been asking the sdf to their march 10 deal by dissolving the outfit and fullly integrating its fighters into the syrian army, the sdf haas. Decentralised security arrangement that preserves its command structure. Besides Decentralisation, The SDF Had Been Seeking Ethnic/Religious Rights (especially Kurdish Recognition) and Gender Equality. Damascus, However, rejects these as infringements on State Sovereignty. In an interview, Gen ABDI Speaks About Syria Post Assad, The Sticking Points in the Deal With The Syriaan Government.
How has Daily Life for Civilians in Syria Changed Since the fall of the assad government?
The collaps of the baath regime after 13 years were a development that all syrians were happy about and a cause for celebration for all of us. At the same time, this moment has created a Huge Security and Administrative Vacuum. All theseas of life in syria were alMost completely destined during the years of war. Basic Necessities, Such as Water and Electricity, are still very different to find. However, the positive thing is that now, with the lifting of some of the economic sanctions, there has been relief and there is hop it is hop that our country can rebuild. There are many differences and dishes in terms of security. The interim government is trying to Gain Control through a unilateral app, but there are many violences and violence. We have seen many suicide attacks in the big cities. The threat of isis and the isis movement has also been increasing.
What are the challenges in integrating the sdf into the syrian army under the march 10 agrement? What role can daanes play in Syria’s future?
We attach great importance to that memorandum of understanding. We are currantly working to broaden and implement it. The experience of daanes constitutes a positive model of government for syria. In the last more than 10 years, daanes has been about to rebuild the region that had been destroyed during major battles with isis and re-factablish security there. This is a very important issue that must be consider. After the collapse of the highly centralised and dictatorial regime of (former president) Bashar al-Sassad, Syria now has a greater chance of moving towards democracy and a decentralized systems. A social like syria can only ensure democracy with a decentralized system. We accepted the integration of the sdf with the syrian army in the memorandum of understanding signed on march 10. Gaps. But the emphasis must be on the clear path of integration of all other groups into the syrian army, the army must have a national identity and its role must be to defnd the enture syrian peeple. In other words, it must not be subordinated to any other interests. I believe that to ensure stability in syria, we need democratic institutions that reproduction and protect the will of all Syrian constituents.
Ethnic and religious tensions in Syria have continued in recent months. How can Syria encstal governance to prevent ethnic and religious tensions, particularly amid recent instability in Deir Ez-Zor, Alawite Areas, and Druze Regions?
These are conflicts and wars are the result of the policies pursued by the interim government so far. Syria is a diverse country. In order to maintain stability, the rights of all groups and identities must be protected and their place in decision-making processes must be encased. For example, the government can establish regional councils through elections and these countries can manage the affairs of their regions. Also, most importantly, the security forces and the army must not be married parties to these ethnic and religious wars.
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In Light of Kurdish Leader Abdullah öcalan’s Recent Call for Peace and the Consequent Decision of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK, a Militant Organisation of Whichecalan Is Co -founder) To Disi, How Do You Forah. afing the struggle of the kurdish people in syria?
Mr. Öcalan’s call was history and has earned a lot of support. Ending the war and violence against the kurdish people in turkey will open new paths for the kurds as a whole. After this call, a ceasefire was established in north and East Syria and the Turkish State’s Attacks against us stopped. Therefore, tensions have decreased considerably. This will open the way for the kurds to take part in the construction of a new democratic syria.
Turkey views the sdf as an extension of the pkk. With the pk disbanding, do you expect turkey to change its stance towards the sdf and the daanes?
This is a matter related to turkey’s internal politics. In my eyes, the sdf and the daanes have never been constituted a security threat to turkey. On the contrary, we Liberated Turkey’s Border from Isis and Encured Stability on the Border. If turkey records the Rights of the Kurds with the republic of turkey, the same must apply to Syria.
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What is the level of international support that would Most Effectively Help Sustain these counterrorism effects?
The support of the international coalition has been a key factor in the fight against isis. Today, Continued Support from the International Coalition is needed to ensure that this success is sustained. We are concurned that isis will exploit the security vacuum in syria and expand its organism. So far, the security situation in the daanes is more stable than in the rest of Syria. However, isis activities have increased Recently through Syria.
What Part Might Asian Nations Such As India Play in the Region’s Future?
Many countries have troops here in the bases of the international coalition and support our forces. These countries can also play a positive role in the political procedure and support the syrian people’s efforts for building a peaceful and democratic future in their homeland. Countries Such As India and Other Asian Countries Can Play An Important Friendly Role and Be Active In The Reconstruction Process in Syria. India has always Had an Important Role In West Asia. It can now play an important role in the stability of the region through its friendship with the syrian people and the kurdish people.
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A LARGE Number of Countries Have Re-Sestablished Official Ties With Syria After the Fall of the Assad Government. Sanctions have been lifted and investments announcing. What kind of regional and international right do you environment for syria?
Syria’s Geographical Location is very important in west asia. I am sure that we will succeed and once again again our country to its feet. Then Syria can play a decisive political and economic role at the regional and international levels by establishing peaceful relates with its neighbors. It can make an important contribution to the democratism and stabilisation of west asia.
Haritha Savithri is a barcelona-based malayalam writer and freelance journalist