Mazloum Abdi: Damascus positively deals with decentralization issue 

In a special program on Ronahi TV, the Commander-in-Chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Mazloum Abdi, assessed the political and military situation, recent meetings with the US delegation and the transitional government, the situation of the displaced, and the integration of SDF into the Syrian army.

The text of the interview included,

There was a meeting between you and an American delegation, accompanied by the US Special Envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack. What was discussed at this meeting?

The visit of Mr. Tom Barrack and the Commander-in-Chief of the US Central Command (CENTCOM) was important. They expressed their support for cooperation with SDF and the fight against ISIS, as well as the dialogue between us and Damascus. We discussed the situation in Syria, the lifting of the Caesar Act sanctions, and the implementation of the March 10th Agreement. Furthermore, our meetings with Damascus have been somewhat stagnant recently, so we addressed how to strengthen and accelerate these meetings and how to combat terrorism beside the new Syrian government. We held a fruitful meeting on these issues, and this was reflected on our meetings with the transitional government the following day and formed a basis for them.

An official delegation from here headed to Damascus and held a meeting there with officials in the transitional government. What was discussed in that meeting?

It can be said that there have been a series of meetings, with President Sharaa and Foreign Minister Shibani, and we assessed the situation over the past six months. Why hasn't the agreement progressed so far? The other issue is how we will advance the dialogue process from now on? We spoke with each other very frankly, and that's why the meeting was fruitful. We agreed on many fundamental issues, and of course, our delegations and theirs will now meet for implementation.

You mentioned that you agreed on some matters. What points and issues have you agreed on with the transitional government and reached consensus on so far, especially within the framework of the March 10 Agreement?

Our meeting with the Minister of Defense and the Director of Intelligence was one of the most significant positive steps. We reached a decision to implement a comprehensive ceasefire on all fronts. The ceasefire is one of the fundamental provisions of the March 10th Agreement. However, unfortunately, we have recently witnessed many violations in this regard, which led to the interference of external powers in our internal affairs. The important thing is to continue these meetings at the highest level. We also discussed issues such as the constitution, the army, and security. Although we did not fully agree on some issues, we understood each other's points of view and reached a preliminary consensus on some issues. On this basis, our meetings can continue.

In the context of these discussions, what are your next practical steps?

We have previously stated that we want a decentralized Syria, and we have discussed this matter. We may not agree on the terminology, but there is a desire to agree on the substance. There is a common convergence on the issue of decentralization. A delegation from the Autonomous Administration will visit Syrian cities to review the new system, and they will also present their views and perspectives regarding decentralization and local administrations. There will be work on drafting the constitution, but we want the drafted constitution to be amended. Some provisions of the March Agreement are not present in the new constitution, and they do not oppose the amendments. There is a positive convergence on this issue, and we have taken a step forward.

Will you participate in amending the constitution?

Many steps will be taken together. There is a rapprochement with the Syrian authorities, and some steps must be taken. They consider the military aspect important, and they view the integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces into the Syrian army as a unity of Syrian territory. We, for our part, do not oppose this, but it must be based on a decentralized Syria. We believe there will be some progress on amending the constitution in the coming period.

What are your proposals to the Syrian Army on the integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces into the army? How can these forces be integrated into the Syrian Army?

When we signed the March 10th Agreement, this was the most discussed topic. At that time, we reached an agreement for the Syrian Democratic Forces to join the army. We reiterated this, and Ahmed al-Sharaa was open to this matter, and they were open to our opinions. We agreed to join, but of course, the delegation will hold meetings and discuss the details. For us, the main and most important thing is not to waste our efforts and our work. We must achieve the position we deserve in the army, strengthen the Syrian Army, and remove the fear of our people. Naturally, everyone wants to benefit from this experience. The Minister of Defense also made it clear that they need the experience of the Syrian Democratic Forces, and an agreement was reached in this regard. Our military delegation will soon head to the Ministry of Defense to discuss this matter.

How was the issue of internal security raised in this discussion?

The Internal Security Forces should join the Syrian Internal Security Forces, similar to the Syrian Democratic Forces. We have also benefited from the Sheikh Maqsoud experience, and this process will also begin. A delegation from the Internal Security Forces will travel to Damascus with the Syrian Democratic Forces to discuss this issue. They will discuss the details.

You spoke about the war against ISIS, and now there are efforts to include Damascus in the coalition. How will the fight against ISIS proceed from now on?

The international coalition informed us, "We have officially requested the Syrian state to join the coalition against ISIS." As we understood, Damascus views the matter positively. We also received some requests at the Hasaka meeting, and we deemed them appropriate. In terms of the issue of prisons, al-Hawl camp, and ISIS families, our struggle against ISIS has so far been limited to North and East Syria, where a joint unit was responsible for this task with the assistance of American forces. Now, however, the struggle will be national and at the Syrian level.

The return of the displaced was one of the main provisions of the March 10th Agreement. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced from Afrin, Girê Spî, and Serê Kaniyê, and the residents are awaiting their return. What stage has this issue reached in the discussions?

It was discussed in recent meetings, and there are still some security issues, but the time has come for an organized return. The people are worried. It was also emphasized in the meeting that the time has come for the return. In the coming days, work will be done on the issue of our people returning to Afrin, and our Afrin people must be prepared for this as well. The situation in Girê Spî and Serê Kaniyê is also on the agenda. At the same time, there are people who have been displaced from our regions, and we guarantee that they will also return to their places.

There was a clash in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods of Aleppo, and roads were blocked. How did you view this issue, given that you were in Damascus at the time?

Everyone knows that these two neighborhoods cannot pose any threat to Aleppo, and the allegations regarding this matter are false. Therefore, the ceasefire was an important point. Some parties are carrying out provocations in Aleppo. It is true that they are present in Aleppo only, but this is everyone's concern. The ideal solution is to implement the April agreement on Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh. I also congratulate the residents of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh for their resistance. They have proven to everyone their ability to defend themselves.

Was Kurdish rights discussed at the last meeting, as they are one of the provisions of the March 10th Agreement?

In terms of the Kurdish issue, the Damascus authorities say they have no problem with it. The March 10th Agreement included this provision, but it has not yet been implemented. What matters is implementation. The constitution must be amended and specify that within it. There is also the issue of language and education, but in general, there is a positive rapprochement. This must also be achieved through the Kurdish delegation, which must travel to Damascus to discuss the matter. They are preparing for this, and we are also working to achieve this soon.

How do you view Turkey's role in Syria, especially in your meetings with the transitional government? Are you planning a meeting with Turkey or not?

We discussed this issue in our meetings with Damascus. Syrians must resolve their issues themselves. It is true that some countries play the role of guarantor, but this interference is unacceptable. Turkey can play a positive role; its influence on Syria cannot be denied, and its interests must be taken into account. There are open channels between us and Turkey, and we hope they will develop further in the future.

J.J

ANHA