SDC urges for national approach based on Syrians’ rights, free from regional alignments

The General Council of the Syrian Democratic Council held its regular meeting on Thursday in the city of Hasaka, in the Jazira Canton. The meeting was chaired by the SDC’s Co-Chairs and attended by members representing the political parties and forces under its umbrella. They discussed the evolving Syrian landscape, rapidly changing regional and international dynamics, and the role of the SDC in shaping the current and upcoming phases on both national and political levels.

The meeting began with a moment of silence. Then, SDC Co-Chair Mahmoud al-Meslet spoke, emphasizing that strengthening civil peace is a fundamental national principle at this stage. He stressed that achieving peace in Syria requires the inclusion of North and East Syria and the exclusion of any key component would weaken the efforts to build the country's future.

He added: “We are the initiators, and our repeated efforts reflect our commitment to peace. We have never been outside the framework of a solution; rather, we insist on the unity of Syrian land and people.”

Al-Meslet also rejected any form of civil war, describing it as contrary to religious and moral values. He praised the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) for their role as a guarantor of civil peace and the region’s future.

For her part, SDC Co-Chair Leyla Qaraman stressed that dialogue and negotiation are the best ways to address challenges. She stated that transitioning to a pluralistic Syria requires the participation of all components in decision-making processes.

She welcomed the decision to lift European sanctions on Syria, noting that true recovery requires the involvement of all Syrians in the reconstruction process.

Qaraman affirmed that North and East Syria is an inseparable part of Syria’s geography. She called for the strengthening of civil peace and the implementation of transitional justice as a pathway to democratic reform.

She also urged countering hate speech and upholding values of coexistence and joint action among all societal components, including those referred to as “minorities,” whom she described as original components of the national fabric.

The meeting addressed the importance of strengthening a Syrian-Syrian track through national initiatives independent of foreign influence, with an emphasis on incorporating transitional justice into any future political solution to guarantee victims' rights and national reconciliation.

Council members also discussed mechanisms for coordination with democratic Syrian forces at home and abroad to develop a shared vision based on decentralization and pluralism. They reviewed the outcomes of recent political meetings aimed at clarifying the SDC's vision for a political solution.

The participants affirmed their support for any national initiative that enhances consensus among Syrian components, provided it is independent and inclusive. They also addressed ongoing security threats, particularly from ISIS, and called for enhanced coordination between the security and political fronts to confront these dangers.

The meeting concluded with discussions on launching new political and organizational activities aimed at expanding national dialogue and reinforcing the SDC’s role as a key actor on the Syrian stage.

Additionally, the performance of the council’s affiliated offices was evaluated, and a comprehensive action plan was developed, covering political, organizational, and media aspects in line with current developments and in preparation for the next phase.

A-H 

ANHA