Researcher at the Euphrates Center: AANES model is the solution to guarantee rights of all Syrians

In an interview with ANHA's agency, researcher at the Euphrates Center for Studies, Lazgin Ibrahim, evaluated the administrative, political and military experience in the North and East of Syria region since the establishment of the Autonomous Administration 14 years ago, and the possibility of applying this experience as a model for a solution and to prevent Syria from sliding into a civil war. 

In his speech, Ibrahim said: "Syria entered a new phase after the fall of the Syrian regime, and this sudden fall brought many changes to the Syrian arena, whether at the local, regional or even international levels. These transformations will naturally create a new situation in Syria, and everyone hopes that this situation will be for the better after the fall of the regime."

Ibrahim added: "It is necessary for a new system to emerge in Syria in which all Syrian components coexist, and for everyone to be in a state of tolerance and reconciliation. However, with the control of extremist Islamic groups in Damascus, this raises great concerns, especially among Syrian minorities such as the Kurds, Alawites, Druze, Syriacs and Assyrians, who fear for their future in the new Syria. They are worried about the form of the future administration, and what their role will be in the new government."

Autonomous Administration: A viable model for future Syria

Ibrahim explained that "the autonomous-administration model, which was established in North and East Syria more than 14 years ago, is the ideal model for a solution in future Syria. This model can be the basis for a political and administrative solution for all Syrians, and prevents a slide into a state of civil war."

She pointed out that the autonomous administration, since its establishment, has included all segments of society in the areas covered by the autonomous-administration. No component of these areas was excluded, but on the contrary, all components, including Kurds, Arabs, Syriacs and Assyrians, participated in managing their areas.

Ibrahim added: "The autonomous administration has proven its ability to accommodate all social and religious components, thanks to the formation of the Syrian Democratic Forces, which the sons of all these components joined. These forces contributed to maintaining military and political stability in the region, whether in the face of terrorist groups or external threats, and they also helped maintain internal security. Without this autonomous administration, the regions of North and East Syria would not have been able to maintain this stability."

The Autonomous Administration model as a solution for all Syrians Ibrahim pointed out that if the autonomous administration model or any similar model, such as federalism or geographic federalism, is implemented, this will ensure the representation of all components of the Syrian people. He added, "Since its establishment, the autonomous administration has been a model of true partnership between all segments of society. Arabs, Kurds, Syriacs, Assyrians, Armenians and others have participated in managing their regions independently according to their own interests. Therefore, this model can be the basis for a comprehensive political solution in Syria, where everyone can participate effectively in managing their own regions, whether on the coast, in the interior, in the south, or in the north and east of Syria."

Military Forces in Syria: The necessity of forming a comprehensive army

Regarding the military forces in the future Syria, Ibrahim stressed the need to form a national army that includes all components of the Syrian people and reflects their diversity, noting that if the compulsory army in Syria is abolished, it must be replaced by an army that the Syrian people trust.

He added: "If a central army is formed in Damascus under the control of extremist Islamic groups, the Kurds, Alawites, Druze, or any other components will not participate in it. This army will be ideological, limited to one segment of the people, and will not contribute to the stability of the country."

He pointed out that "the model of the Syrian Democratic Forces could be a model for the Syrian army in the future, as this army relies on volunteerism and not compulsory conscription, and includes all components of Syrian society, and each component can defend their areas collectively through it."

Ibrahim explained that there must be a decentralized Syrian army, formed through military councils in each region, so that all the people of the region participate in defending and protecting their land. These military councils would be linked to the central government in Damascus in a way that ensures the people's confidence in their national army.

Regional Interventions: The biggest obstacle to a solution in Syria

Ibrahim pointed out that regional interventions, especially by the Turkish occupation state, are the biggest obstacle to achieving stability in Syria. He said: "Turkey seeks to impose its model in Syria, by supporting armed groups and rejecting any administrative model that includes all components of the Syrian people."

He pointed out that the Turkish occupation state seeks to impose its hegemony over the Syrian arena, and prevents the formation of a government that represents all spectrums, stressing that the policy of the Turkish occupation state "constitutes the biggest obstacle to building lasting peace in Syria, and that there can be no stability in Syria unless the rights of all components of the Syrian people are respected, and they are given the opportunity to participate effectively in running the country.

Lazgin Ibrahim, a researcher at the Euphrates Center for Studies, concluded his speech by saying: “The experience of the autonomous administration and the experience of the Syrian Democratic Forces can be a model for building the future of Syria, but this depends on the ability of the Syrians to overcome regional and international challenges and achieve internal consensus among all components. If this consensus is reached, Syria can enter a new phase of peace and stability and be an example to be followed in coexistence among all spectrums.”