Researcher: decentralized system is the optimal solution for Syria

Researcher and Public Relations Officer at the Euphrates Research Center, Walid Jouli, spoke to ANHA agency about the situation in Syria and the interventions of the Turkish state in the region.

Walid Jouli highlighted the rise of "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham" to power following the fall of the Baath regime in Syria, noting that the government in Damascus was formed under its leadership, and it is going through this phase without the participation of Syrian components. He said: "They are now heading towards the People's Council elections, which they will once again contest alone. The current situation is very complex, and there is a noticeable international and regional role. The international role, particularly the U.S. as a diplomatic mediator, has been very active, indicating that this government is subject to its influence. Additionally, Israel is significantly expanding its control geographically, having designated southern Syria as a completely demilitarized zone. The Gulf countries’ interest lies in preventing Iran’s return and keeping Syria within the Arab community."

Walid Jouli commented on the interventions of the Turkish occupation state and the damages they cause, mentioning that Turkey seeks to establish a system opposing the will of the Kurdish people and the achievements of the components of North and East Syria. He continued: "The March 10 agreement was based on a ceasefire across Syria and the return of cities occupied by mercenary groups with the assistance of the Turkish state, from Afrin to Ras al-Ain, from which our people were displaced. One of the most important provisions of the agreement was the return of the displaced, but Turkey is obstructing its implementation. Turkey has repeatedly declared that it is the decision-maker in this matter, and the Damascus government has also treated it this way. Turkish interventions delay this issue."

Jouli further said: "For this reason, we say the transitional government is powerless. If the transitional government is freed from Turkish influence specifically, it will be possible to start a political change phase in Syria, which will lead the country towards a truly peaceful future."

He explained that it must be recognized that Syria is being rebuilt, but it cannot yet be called a new Syria in the current situation because the situation in Syria remains unresolved.

Walid Jouli emphasized that countries experiencing conflicts and crises overcome them through international guarantees or political entities in their regions, and Syria must benefit from its surroundings. He said: "A meeting should be held with all Syrian components to form a transitional government with the participation of everyone."

Jouli stated that the experience of the centralized system in Syria was unsuccessful, saying: "Syria is a diverse country, comprising multiple ethnicities, religions, and sects, and the will of all these components must be guaranteed. To guarantee their rights, a form of autonomous administration must be established, which is a type of decentralization specifically, democratic decentralization. There are two types of decentralization in Syria: one ensures the rights of components, especially political rights, within the constitution; the other is the application of centralization over only one ethnicity or component, so the rights of ethnicities and components are not violated. This is suitable for many areas in Syria and is the most important and optimal solution.

ANHA