SDF leadership member outlines conditions for integration

Member of the General Command of the SDF, Sipan Hemo, responded to ANHA agency’s questions regarding the ongoing discussions about integration, the approaches and methods being proposed, and how it might be implemented.

The issue of integration is widely discussed in the context of resolving the Syrian crisis, particularly within the SDF. So how do you approach integration?

The term “integration” occupies an important space; everyone talks about it, but we, the SDF, understand it differently. According to our understanding, the best integration is democratic integration. This type of integration is based on the will of the people and on free awareness. However, it is discussed in different ways according to others: “A state has been established in Damascus, and everyone must join it.” But if we assess the developments, we do not see such a situation. The opposing side does not adhere to any system and has called themselves the “Transitional Government.” From a scientific perspective, they lack the awareness that would lead to reconciliation. Their awareness is based on the principle of accepting the government, that is, on strict Islamic rule. Despite their attempts to change their approach, communicate, and engage differently, they are not in a position to embrace the entire society. 

Two Fundamental Points

The SDF calls for democratic integration, while the transitional government demands the dissolution of the SDF. What kind of integration mechanism do you propose?

We stress that the democratic integration the SDF speaks of includes all the components of Syria: Kurds, the peoples of North and East Syria, and all of Syria. It could also extend to Alawites, Druze, Christians, and Sunnis. When the current government reaches a level of recognition of all regions and components of Syria, then democratic integration can be discussed. But that situation does not exist now. The March 10 agreement, signed between SDF Commander-in-Chief Mazloum Abdi and Ahmed al-Sharaa, was a positive step. Yet the transitional government in Damascus sabotaged it. At the same time this agreement was signed, major massacres were committed against the Alawites on the Syrian coast, and we witnessed attacks on Sweida. Afterwards, Damascus issued a unilateral and narrow constitutional draft in which none of the Syrian parties, including us, were involved. Now they talk about parliamentary elections, yet they have openly declared that North and East Syria and Sweida are excluded. Thus, they themselves undermined the March 10 agreement. Over the past five months, we have seen clearly that the Damascus government lacks a democratic integration mindset.

We want to build a democratic Syria that expresses the will of all components, Kurds, Arabs, Syriacs, Armenians, and others, where they can represent themselves. Since the 1970s, we have lived under an authoritarian regime against which the revolution erupted. But now, we see attempts toward a new authoritarianism, toward a strict centralized state. They monopolize everything without consulting anyone, producing even more negative conditions than before.

We can build a joint council

If efforts are made to implement it, how will the integration of the SDF take place, and how will the army be formed?

We cannot even discuss the integration of the SDF until amendments to the laws are made. First, the laws must be approved and the administration defined. After that, we can discuss the status of the SDF. Currently, the SDF serve as the protector of the gains of the revolution in North and East Syria. If any steps are taken toward democratizing Syria in the future, the SDF will form the foundation for ensuring security throughout the country.

The word “integration” is, at its core, a social term. What is being imposed on us now is tied to political objectives. From our perspective, this process will lead to political developments that signal change and transformation. We in the SDF are ready to help build a new structure for the Syrian army based on our experience. We have gained tremendous experience in fighting a major war against ISIS in North and East Syria, as well as against the Baathist regime. We can become the foundation of the Syrian army. As a first step, we could establish a joint military council with the Damascus government army. Implementation of these steps depends on political objectives.

The army is tied to politics

The problems of Syrian communities are political and administrative. Once a democratic system is built, a decentralized order is established, and all regions of Syria are represented by their own will, the army will also be built on that basis. Political principles may not always align with the army, but in our view, the army exists to protect democratic social achievements and is shaped by political laws. The army must represent all components regardless of political tendencies. For us, the army is a force for protection and defense, directly tied to political objectives; not separate or independent. Whatever the system may be, the army protects it.

How do you view the role of regional powers, like Turkey, in preventing democratic integration? What are the risks of external interventions in Syria?

Without doubt, regional and international powers influence the resolution of Syria’s problems. However, we must remember that these powers never act against their own interests. They can contribute to solutions but also deepen and prolong crises. The United States is the main responsible party in this regard. The international coalition and the US are the most influential actors in Syria and indeed responsible for the ongoing changes. Our demand from Western powers is that they apply to the Syrian people what they apply to themselves. For example, America is rich in science, technology, law, rights, and justice. But abroad, they provoke conflicts to serve their own interests. What we ask for is the freedom of peoples. What matters to us is protecting the values of society. We hope Western countries will not pursue economic calculations at the expense of the people here.

Over the past fifteen years, Syria’s peoples have endured wars, destruction, killings, and displacement. We continue to witness this, and it is not separate from international power politics. Of course, Turkey’s role in Syria is significant. As the SDF, we have never posed a threat to the Turkish state. We believe that the existence of the Kurdish people is a guarantee for democratizing Syria. Just as we consider Kurds, Arabs, Alawites, Druze, and Christians, we also consider the Turkmen people. If Turkey truly wants peace and stability in Syria, then peace and stability here will be the foundation of Turkey’s own security. Therefore, Turkey should not see Kurds as a threat but should recognize them as the foundation for democratizing Syria.

What will integration bring to North and East Syria?

Democratic integration based on the freedom of all components will be the solution to all of Syria’s and the region’s problems. But if it is based on submission and subjugation, Syria will never escape the crisis. I want to emphasize again: it was this mentality of subjugation that enabled the massacres on the coast and in Sweida. But if integration is democratic, there will be no conflicts or crises; not in North and East Syria, nor elsewhere in the country.

We are passing through a very sensitive stage. Our goal is to build a united democratic Syria. Often, our struggle disrupts the calculations of certain forces, and for that reason, they attack us and attempt to create chaos in our regions. Yet our people in North and East Syria are aware of these schemes, and the stance of all the region’s components is the guarantee of the future of Damascus and of all Syria.

What happened to the Druze in Sweida was not the work of tribes, but an intelligence ploy. They want to carry out genocidal acts against the people through different means. I believe our people understand this and will not be deceived. Through our shared coexistence, we will build Syria. We have no chance to live separately. I want to emphasize here that the protection of Syrian territory in the future will be secured in this very way.

A-H 

ANHA