Devrim Demir calls for stronger cooperation between Rojava and Northern Kurdistan

Devrim Demir, co-mayor of Mardin and co-chair of the Diplomatic Committee of Local Administrations, said a delegation of municipalities from Northern Kurdistan had visited Rojava to assess the general situation amid the ongoing integration process and the changes affecting local governance, particularly municipalities that had operated for years under the Autonomous Administration system, as well as other institutions.

The delegation, which has been visiting Rojava since October 7, includes Devrim Demir, co-mayor of Mardin and co-chair of the Diplomatic Committee of Local Administrations; Safiye Aladag, co-mayor of the Yenişehir district municipality in Amed; Sevim Beçetçi, co-mayor of the Farqin district municipality in Amed; Belkize Beştaş İbozdemir, co-mayor of the Tetwan Municipality; and Rokin Demir, a member of the Diplomatic Committee.

In an exclusive interview with ANHA agency, Demir explained that the delegation sought to understand the role of local administration in Rojava during the new phase, how it was organized and operated within the state framework, and the prospects for future relations between Rojava and Northern Kurdistan. The delegation also discussed ways to exchange expertise, strengthen support and cooperation, develop projects and implement joint initiatives.

She added that the visit had given the delegation an opportunity to present its own experience in work and organization to the institutions it met. She noted that people in Northern Kurdistan and the international community had shown considerable interest in understanding the situation in Rojava, particularly women's experiences and their roles in administrative, military and institutional fields.

In this context, Demir said the delegation had visited the Women's Protection Units (YPJ) and raised questions about issues that had long been a source of interest and curiosity.

Women in the New Phase

Demir described the steps taken to strengthen women's role in Rojava as positive and important, although they did not fully meet Kurdish women's aspirations. She noted that women had succeeded in establishing their presence in governing institutions, stressing that preserving the gains achieved through nearly 15 years of struggle required continued work and sustained resistance.

She expressed confidence in the determination of women in Rojava and their ability to secure their rights and protect their achievements in the coming phase.

Declining Role of Municipalities Raises Concerns

On the outcomes of the delegation's meetings, Demir explained that discussions with municipalities focused on their responsibilities and roles amid the changes associated with the integration process. She said the delegation had formed a negative impression of the current state of municipal work.

According to what the delegation had learned, the transitional government had withdrawn many of the responsibilities and powers previously exercised by municipalities in providing services to residents and transferred them to central institutions. This, she said, had limited municipalities' ability to fulfil their roles and provide better services to the population.

"This is a major problem," she said, warning that municipalities' continued operation under this arrangement since the beginning of the transitional phase had negatively affected residents. Discussions over integration were still ongoing, while the necessary legal and administrative frameworks remained incomplete.

Demir stressed that municipalities and local administration were among the institutions most adversely affected during this phase. She expressed hope that these problems would be addressed, emphasizing that municipalities, given their direct connection with residents, could not deliver the required services without the necessary powers and resources.

She warned that continued disruption of municipal operations in Rojava in the coming period could lead to serious risks, adding, "This is a source of sadness for us."

Demir also noted that the delegation had observed several institutions ceasing operations or continuing to function without the will, authority and resources needed to serve residents. She stressed that the consequences were clearly visible on the ground.

Integration and Current Crises

As part of the visit, the delegation met with Hasakah Governor Engineer Nour al-Din Ahmed to discuss the integration process and the causes of the crises that have accompanied it. Demir said the delegation exchanged views with him on these developments, noting that the meeting gave them considerable hope.

She said the war had largely demonstrated the effectiveness of fieldwork, but the next phase required a clear political strategy and strong diplomacy to protect the gains achieved by Kurds in Rojava and strengthen their community institutions.

Assessing the overall situation, Demir said the delegation had expected to encounter difficult conditions but felt saddened by the reality it witnessed, despite the continued hope and determination among the population.

She added that she had visited Rojava in 2014, when conditions were better and community institutions had begun to establish themselves following the end of battles in several areas. At the time, she said, the region had reflected a sense of freedom.

She stressed the need to reorganize Rojava and strengthen its institutions through a strong political strategy capable of addressing current challenges.

Strengthening Ties Between Rojava and Northern Kurdistan

Demir emphasized the importance of maintaining and strengthening existing ties. She explained that several organizations and institutions in Northern Kurdistan were looking to hold meetings with their counterparts in Rojava and expand cooperation in education, services, reconstruction, politics and local governance.

She confirmed that the delegation would convey to Northern Kurdistan the realities it had witnessed in Rojava and build on the outcomes of the visit to call for assistance and support for the region.

Demir concluded by stressing the need for exceptional measures to support Rojava, noting that the current phase required broad action and strong solidarity to protect existing gains and strengthen local and community institutions.

ANHA