Kurdish Unity Conference raises hopes for displaced people's return

On April 26, a significant shift occurred on the Kurdish political scene with the convening of the “Conference on Kurdish Unity and Common Position in Rojava, Kurdistan.” Displaced persons from Afrin and Shahba, currently residing in the Tabqa region, viewed the event as a historic milestone that may lay the groundwork for their return to their homeland.

 In this context, displaced individual Muhammad Arif emphasized the importance of holding the conference despite its delay, expressing hope that it would produce tangible outcomes reflecting the interests of all components in North and East Syria. He noted the vital significance of forming a Kurdish delegation to negotiate with authorities in Damascus, provided the delegation genuinely represents the concerns of all the region’s peoples—particularly the displaced from Afrin, Gri Sipi and Serekaniye.

 Arif stressed that unifying the Kurdish front, after decades of divisionist policies pursued by the Ba'ath regime, marks a necessary beginning to bridge the political divide and to work collectively toward building a democratic Syria that embraces all its constituents. He further emphasized that although the Kurdish people are an indigenous part of Syria’s geography, they have long suffered marginalization, expressing hope that this conference would serve as a true gateway to conveying the Kurdish voice and securing political and cultural representation.

 Meanwhile, displaced individual Mahmoud Muhammad described the conference as a "tremendous and historic step," asserting that the Kurdish people have endured years of displacement and violations. He viewed the conference as a heartfelt cry for Kurdish unity. He underscored the need for the return of displaced persons to be accompanied by protection guarantees—whether from national bodies, international entities, or human rights organizations—to prevent a recurrence of the abuses committed against civilians by Turkish-backed mercenaries.

 He also noted that displaced people from Afrin, Serekaniye, and Gri Sipi have been waiting for years to return to their homes after the tragedies they experienced due to the Turkish occupation.

 For his part, displaced person Muhammad Bayram affirmed that Kurdish unity would have a broadly positive impact on the Syrian population as a whole. He indicated that this step represents the beginning of a unified Syrian voice and an effort to halt foreign interventions that have exacerbated the Syrian crisis.

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ANHA