ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Senior officials from the ruling and opposition coalitions in northeast Syria (Rojava) stated on Tuesday that the Kurdish parties’ participation in Syria’s upcoming government is contingent upon the roles allocated to them, emphasizing their openness for dialogue with the new Syrian leadership.
Well-placed sources have informed Rudaw that the formation of the anticipated government could be just days away.
Deputy co-chair of the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), Ali Rahmoun, highlighted to Rudaw that it is crucial for Kurds to play a significant role in the government’s decision-making, stating that “this issue must be discussed [with the new Syrian leadership]. We are neither with nor against [participating in the government]. Our hand is extended for dialogue and consultations.”
Rahmoun, who is also the SDC’s top representative in Damascus, further noted that the Kurdish parties “do not accept being without influence in any government formation," emphasizing that they “must have their own decision and voice” and to be part of the government consultations.
The SDC serves as the political wing of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) - the de facto army of Rojava.
In early March, Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and SDF chief Mazloum Abdi signed a landmark agreement to “integrate all civil and military institutions” in Rojava under the Damascus administration, “including border crossings, the [Qamishli International] Airport, and oil and gas fields.”
The deal additionally emphasized that “the Kurdish community is indigenous to the Syrian state, which ensures this community’s right to citizenship and all of its constitutional rights.”
While the deal was widely welcomed by Syrian and Kurdish constituents, optimism waned after Sharaa on Thursday signed a 53-article constitutional declaration that centers on Islamic jurisprudence, stipulates that the country’s president must be a Muslim, and sets a five-year transitional period of the country. It also maintains the name of the country as the Syrian “Arab” Republic.
The interim constitution additionally grants Sharaa exclusive executive power, including the ability to form a government. It further gives Sharaa the authority to appoint one-third of the legislature, and the ability to appoint judges to the constitutional court, which is the body that can hold him accountable.
This declaration drew wide criticism, particularly from Syria’s Kurdish, Christian, Druze and Yazidi communities.
The SDC’s deputy co-chairman Afram Ishak on Monday told Rudaw that the declaration “falls short of meeting the aspirations of the Syrian people in all its constituents” and requires for “fundamental amendments” before being adopted as a permanent constitution.
For his part, the head of the Kurdish National Council (KNC/ENKS), an umbrella group of Kurdish opposition parties in Rojava, bureau in Damascus, Mahabad Tizyani, told Rudaw on Tuesday that the Kurds’ participation in the upcoming government is dependent on the topics that will be discussed in upcoming talks with the new Syrian leadership.
"The possibility of participation depends on the topics of the negotiations with them [Damascus leadership]. If they [talks] are based on the provisions of the new constitution, I believe that we will not take part," Tizyani said.
ENKS and the ruling Democratic Union Party (PYD) on Tuesday met for the first time in years to resume stalled talks and finalize a unity agreement which aims to unify the Kurdish position in and form a joint committee to represent Kurds in talks with Damascus.
The ENKS said the meeting was held in a "positive atmosphere” and that both sides agreed to continue their meetings until they finalize their agreement in the near future.
Sulaimani Oso, a member of ENKS leadership who attended the Tuesday meeting, told Rudaw English that “we will meet again after Newroz celebrations” to form a joint committee to represent all Kurds in talks with the new authority in Damascus.
