Ilham Ahmed: Dialogue with Damascus continues, Kurdish issue is central

Ronahi TV conducted an interview Saturday with Ilham Ahmed, co-chair of the Autonomous Administration’s Department of Foreign Relations. During the interview, she confirmed that diplomatic engagement between Rojava and Damascus is continuing and explained that Leader Abdullah Ocalan played a key role in achieving a cease-fire in the region.

Ilham Ahmed said ending the armed conflict is a starting point toward reaching a political solution, noting that the peace process and the democratic society project launched by Leader Ocalan have a direct impact on the region. She added, “we tried to communicate with and meet with Leader Abdullah Ocalan during the recent attacks on our areas.” 

She also discussed the recent meeting between the governor of Deir ez-Zor and presidential envoy Ziad al-Ayesh, who is responsible for implementing the provisions of the January 29 agreement. She explained that the meeting had been planned in advance and that education was one of the main issues discussed.

Regarding the displaced, she said, “It is time for all displaced people to return to their homes. Attacks against displaced people are rejected and unacceptable. Regardless of the circumstances, attacks on state institutions cannot be justified or accepted.”

Ilham Ahmed said some parties opposed to the integration process were behind these attacks, adding, “we held direct contacts with Damascus regarding the recent events.”

She also drew attention to the integration of Kurds into state institutions, saying: “the issue of integrating Kurds into state institutions is being deliberately distorted.” She explained that Kurdish integration is moving toward genuine partnership within the state, stressing that the most important issue is to guarantee Kurdish rights and gains in the new Syria and that Kurds must not be put at risk under any nationalist pretext. She added that the Kurdish issue is the central and primary issue in discussions with Damascus.

Regarding Hasakah province, Ilham Ahmed noted that the administrative arrangements for the province have not yet been completed and that the issue of the Kurdish language has reached a stage at which Damascus must recognize and accept it. She stressed that the integration process cannot be completed without resolving the Kurdish language issue.

On the issue of women, she said the government in Damascus has a narrow view of women’s role and status, and stressed that she will continue serving society regardless of the position or capacity she holds. She noted that “we must see Syria as a homeland and state for all of us and work for its future.”

A-H 

ANHA