Aldar Khalil: Leader Ocalan’s message aims at strategic solution

Leader Abdullah Ocalan addressed a message on Tuesday, 30 December, on the occasion of the New Year, in which he spoke about the situation in Syria, democratic integration, resolving problems, and Turkey’s role in a solution for Syria.

On this issue, ANHA conducted an interview with Aldar Khalil, a member of the co-presidency of the Democratic Union Party.

How do you assess Leader Abdullah Ocalan’s New Year message, particularly the part related to Syria and North and East Syria?

Although Leader Abdullah Ocalan’s message is a New Year greeting marking the arrival of 2026 and the end of 2025, it carries extremely important significance for the Kurdish people and Kurdistan, as well as for the Syrian people and the entire Middle East. Delivering this message at such a sensitive time demonstrates the Leader’s influence, leadership stature, and active role in the Middle East. He presents models, visions, and projects aimed at solutions, and these ideas and perspectives have contributed to many positive changes in the region.

Leader Abdullah Ocalan remained in Syria and Rojava Kurdistan for twenty years, during which he established a strong organizational base. Without this foundation, the current developments would not have been possible. He also delivered a similar message at the beginning of the “Spring of Peoples,” which became a guiding framework and strategy adopted by all those who love freedom and believe in democracy. At that time, he said: “For us to be the Spring of Peoples, we must not be part of the power struggle, but rather follow the third line, which is based on building and developing a democratic social system.” Those who did not adopt this message were defeated.

The region is currently witnessing major turmoil and crises, with horrific massacres being committed and strife and divisions stirred among communities. This situation does not contribute to solving problems and offers no solution. Therefore, the Leader’s message is extremely important and necessary not only for the Kurds, but for all Syrians. Damascus and the influential forces in the region must listen carefully to this message. Everyone should realize that the Leader’s projects, ideas, and visions constitute solutions to existing problems. He shares his vision to prevent the current chaos from being repeated in 2026. Thus, Leader Abdullah Ocalan’s message is a strategic one.

For example, because those in Damascus do not adhere to this message, their policies have led to massacres in the coastal and southern regions of Syria, as well as clashes and attacks in Aleppo. Peace and a ceasefire have yet to be achieved in Syria. This is not merely a crisis, but rather the sowing of seeds of discord and division among communities, posing a threat to Syria’s future. Therefore, it is essential for those in Damascus to reflect deeply on the Leader’s message.

The Leader’s message states that implementing the 10 March Agreement would open the way forward, while emphasizing the need for negotiations to democratize Syria and achieve integration. What is your comment on this, and how can it be achieved?

Leader Abdullah Ocalan states: “The rights of all components must be guaranteed on the basis of the 10 March Agreement.” The main clauses of the agreement emphasize the need to prevent conflicts among components, resolve existing crises and problems, and draft a democratic constitution for Syria.

What is democratic integration? It is the building of a social system outside the framework of the nation-state and the establishment of a democratic administration based on the principles of the democratic nation and social cohesion. Democratic integration does not mean melting into the nation-state. The state may retain its entity as an institution and a system, but without centralization. The will of society should be the foundation of the state. All components in Syria, from the coast to the south and the north, should cooperate and integrate in a balanced manner to govern the country. However, other forces do not want this; instead, they seek to define integration as dissolution into their own entity.

Leader Abdullah Ocalan says: “As long as there is a state, let its unity be preserved, but with the preservation of our existence as Kurds, Alawites, Druze, Christians, Syriacs, Assyrians, Armenians, and Sunni Arabs.” If the issue is handled through centralized nation-state methods, there will be no change, and the crisis will persist. This raises the question of why the Syrian people revolted against the Baath regime in the first place: because it relied on a centralized nation-state system.

Those in Damascus constantly demand the implementation of the 10 March Agreement. When asked what the agreement entails, they respond: “Let the Syrian Democratic Forces dissolve and join our army.” But what about the remaining clauses? Were there not eight clauses in total? Where is the implementation of the other seven? The Syrian Democratic Forces are a force to protect the region and defend democratic Syria. How can one demand their dissolution without guaranteeing any constitutional or legal rights? This is precisely what the people of the region ask. They say: “If the Syrian Democratic Forces accept your demands, how will you convince us that our rights are guaranteed?” Kurds ask: “Where are we in Syria? What is our place? Where are the laws that concern us?” There is no constitutional article protecting their rights. Instead, the focus is placed directly on the final clause, which creates a lack of trust.

Despite this, the Syrian Democratic Forces have shown flexibility, yet concerns and hesitation remain, as it is clear that Syria’s unity and governance in the future cannot be ensured without their support. It is important for North and East Syria to stand alongside Damascus, but it is unacceptable to replicate the Baath system. Changes and concrete steps are necessary. It is also important for the peoples of Syria to unite and demonstrate to Damascus and other regions that this is the model of democratic Syria. Among these peoples are the Kurds, who must strengthen their alliances and unity. We are entering a new phase in which Kurdish unity is essential, and we hope the coming year will be a year of Kurdish unity.

Damascus and Turkey both speak about the agreement, and the Autonomous Administration has expressed readiness, yet meetings are obstructed. What is the reason for this?

There are two reasons. The first is the mentality in Damascus, which rejects decentralization and seeks to restore centralization and replicate the old system by controlling everything. The second reason is external, namely Turkish influence. Turkey, which still occupies several areas in Syria, has armed groups affiliated with it inside the country and exerts direct influence over the current transitional government, which cannot make decisions without Turkish approval. We have seen many decisions taken and then suspended simply because Turkey opposed them.

Therefore, Leader Abdullah Ocalan’s message is of great importance. He has initiated a process, the process of peace and democratic society, which includes reconciliation with the Turkish state. If this project advances and succeeds, it will help change Turkey’s stance toward Rojava Kurdistan, North and East Syria, the Autonomous Administration, and the Syrian Democratic Forces. This would reduce the pressure Turkey exerts on Damascus to reject agreements. In this context, the peace and democratic society project in North Kurdistan has begun to succeed, and its success will guarantee the success of our project in Syria, as the two are interconnected. If Leader Abdullah Ocalan’s initiative succeeds, it will be a success for us as well.

There is also a message to Turkey emphasizing the need for it to play a constructive and effective role. How do you view the Turkish position, and can it play such a role?

Before the peace and democratic society process began, Turkey acted according to a specific logic: that for Turks to exist, Kurds must not. They operated on this premise. Now, after the process has begun, one of its main objectives is to change the Turkish state’s perspective to be convinced that the existence of Turks depends on the existence of Kurds. If Kurds exist, so too will Turks, Arabs, Persians, and other components. Existence should not be built on denying one’s neighbor, but on coexistence.

Leader Abdullah Ocalan addresses the Turks, saying: “Instead of building your existence on denying us, change this situation and link your existence to ours. Let the success of the democratic project in Syria, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and the entire region be your success as well.” When this conviction is reached, the coming years will bring solutions, peoples will achieve cohesion, and the Kurdish issue will be resolved.

A-H 

ANHA