SDC holds meeting to determine its priorities for transitional period and beyond

The expanded meeting of the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) has just begun in the city of Hasaka, with the participation of the co-chairs of the SDC, its members from the North and East Syria region, and representatives of the political parties under the SDC umbrella.

The meeting began with a moment of silence, followed by a speech by the council's co-chair, Leyla Qaraman, who began by saying: "I thank you all for attending this expanded meeting, which is being held at a pivotal historical moment, not only in the history of our council, but also in the history of Syria and the entire region. Our meeting today is an expression of our shouldering of a great responsibility, at a time when crises intersect with transformations, and when old regimes are crumbling, opening the door to a new Middle East, in which Syria is searching for the outlines of its future."

She added, "Since the 1990s, the world has witnessed profound transformations. The fall of the Soviet Union, the Gulf War, the War on Terror in Afghanistan, the overthrow of the Iraqi regime, and the outbreak of the Arab Spring revolutions all reshaped the Middle East and signaled the decline of the centralized, closed systems that emerged after the First and Second World Wars."

Leila Qaraman explained that with each collapse, local and regional powers emerged, and geostrategic economic and political projects intertwined, leading up to the fall of the Syrian regime and the accompanying reshuffle of regional and international balances, striking at the so-called axis of resistance, weakening Iran, besieging Turkey, and preoccupying Russia with its war in Ukraine.

Leila noted that with the arrival of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham to the position of transitional authority in Damascus with regional and international facilitation, we clearly see the reflection of these balances on the Syrian interior. She added: “The conflict is no longer confined to the regime and the opposition, but has turned into an arena of intertwined competition, a regional rivalry between Israel and Turkey for influence in the new Syria, disagreements between the European countries themselves, and between Europe and America, Russia’s attempts to re-establish its presence, and Iran’s betting on “strategic patience” to regain its influence.”

She added, "Experience has proven the fragility of the transitional authority and its weakness in providing solutions and achieving the goals of the Syrian revolution. It failed to convene a comprehensive national conference. It issued a constitutional declaration that limited the powers of the president but lacked the will and rights of the people. It formed a transitional government far removed from the concerns of the people, increasing their frustration." She pointed out that this transitional government has thus repeated past experiences and demonstrated that if the new state follows this approach, it will remain far removed from the values ​​of justice and democracy and will fail to build a state of citizenship.

Leila Qaraman continued, "Since the founding of the Syrian Democratic Council in 2015, we have chosen a different path: the path of nationalism and democracy. We have held conferences from Ain Issa to Kobani, from Brussels to Damascus, and have contributed, along with Syrian forces, to build extremely important national political alliances. In Europe, we have called for the "Syrian Democratic Path," and domestically, we have called for the "Tamasuk" coalition for equal citizenship."

She added, "We have launched broad dialogues with national and democratic forces, and with various segments and political, cultural, and social elites from Damascus to all Syrian governorates. Through these dialogues, we have established a strategy based on partnership: through the involvement of women, youth, and civil society; through national alliances, we have formed a broad democratic front; and through democratic decentralization, we have truly guaranteed Syria's unity and popular sovereignty, preventing its return to tyranny."

She emphasized that their meeting today represents "a pivotal moment that establishes a new phase. The great sacrifices made by our people impose on us a moral responsibility before a political one: a responsibility to chart a path for a democratic, pluralistic, and decentralized Syria that embraces its national, religious, and cultural diversity and transforms it into a stable state that embraces all its people."

She stressed that their priorities in the transitional phase and beyond are clear, namely: “Consolidating internal stability and preventing Syria from slipping into a new chaos, rebuilding popular and national confidence through Syrian-Syrian dialogue, and practical projects that serve people’s lives, which makes the March 10 agreement a fundamental milestone that they adhere to and support as a platform for national dialogue, fighting terrorism in all its forms, and supporting the heroic efforts made by the Syrian Democratic Forces with the international coalition against ISIS and the remnants of Al-Qaeda, given the existential threat terrorism poses to Syria’s future, and benefiting from the experiences of the de facto situation, especially the experience of the autonomous administration in NE Syria, which proved that participatory democracy and decentralization are capable of providing security, stability and services in the darkest of circumstances.

The inclusion of women in the transitional process is a national necessity to ensure justice, genuine representation, and build a stable future. It also bolsters the dynamic role of youth in formulating public policies, an indispensable foundation for the political process. The more women and youth are involved in decision-making, the more democratic society is, and the project of a decentralized, pluralistic nation-state is entrenched. This ensures the sustainability of change and democratic transformation, the formulation of a comprehensive social contract that establishes a democratic constitution representing all Syrians, the building of a democratic national front that includes all national and civil forces, free from external influences, and diplomatic openness to the international, regional, and Arab communities, with balanced policies that secure political and economic support without compromising national sovereignty.”

Leila Qaraman concluded: "We are facing a historic opportunity to write Syria's future with our own hands. The road may be long and difficult, but we believe that with willpower, unity, and joint action, we will steer our national ship to safety. Our choice is a unified, democratic, pluralistic, and decentralized Syria, based on justice and equality, respecting the rights of all its citizens without discrimination. Syrians have made enormous sacrifices, and we have no right to let them down. Our duty is to transform these sacrifices into a new founding contract that opens a path worthy of Syria and its people."

The meeting of the Syrian Democratic Council is scheduled to conclude with a closing statement revealing the content of the meeting and the consensus reached by the attendees.

Sh-S

ANHA