Talks continue on merging courts and schools in North and East Syria

The city of Qamishlo witnessed a visit by a delegation from the Ministry of Justice of the Interim Government on April 20, aimed at discussing the future of judicial institutions in the region and mechanisms for integrating them into the ministry’s structure as part of the merger process that began on February 2 of this year, based on the January 29 agreement.

However, according to information obtained by ANHA agency, the proposal presented by the Interim Government delegation raised reservations from the Social Justice Council, which viewed it as an attempt to impose a centralized administrative model that does not take the region’s special circumstances into account.

At the same time, similar talks are progressing in the education sector, where efforts are underway to draft understandings that guarantee the continuation of the educational process, while sensitive issues such as recognition of certificates and school curricula are being discussed.

Many key issues still require deeper consensus before any final merger formula can be approved.

According to information received by our correspondent, the Interim Government delegation is approaching the merger with a “handover and takeover” mentality, which the other side considers an unsuitable approach.

The disagreement centers on the Interim Government’s demand to fully manage the judicial file and appoint judicial staff exclusively affiliated with it, while limiting the role of employees in Rojava to minor tasks—an approach that has been rejected.

The information indicates that judges from the region insist on their right to manage judicial institutions within the region, while a mechanism could be reached to ensure joint management of this file by both sides.

Recycling Baathist Judges Linked to the Former Regime

The information also revealed that the Interim Government delegation is trying to impose its conditions by reappointing Baathist judges linked to the former regime and assigning them to the courthouse, while demanding that current judges and employees stop their work and return home, then later apply for reappointment under the new structure. It also requested the handover of all files and lawsuits concerning local residents for its disposal.

During the visit, both sides discussed the systems and laws currently applied in the Autonomous Administration areas.

According to the information, the judicial institution in Rojava does not oppose the principle of integration into the Ministry of Justice, in line with the agreement signed between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Interim Government on January 29, 2026, which recognizes the special nature of Kurdish regions in Syria.

However, the information indicates that the Interim Government delegation refuses to grant Rojava judges a role in the Court of Cassation, Constitutional Court, and other higher judicial bodies, claiming that this would amount to quota-sharing.

The information we obtained indicates that discussions between both sides will continue despite ongoing disagreements over several unresolved points.

Education Sector

On the mechanism of the merger process between the Education Authority of the Autonomous Administration and the Directorate of Education of the Syrian Interim Government, informed sources told ANHA agency’s correspondent details related to the education merger file within the framework of the ongoing understandings between the concerned parties.

Adnan Mohammad Al-Bari has been assigned to oversee the Directorate of Education in Hasakah province in order to ensure the continuation of administrative and educational work in the directorate. In addition, the names of male and female teachers will be submitted to Damascus as one group for review within the structure of the Ministry of Education.

According to the sources, the main points of discussion focus on the issue of recognizing certificates issued by Autonomous Administration institutions during the period from 2014 to 2026, as this file is considered one of the key issues requiring an official decision by the Ministry of Education of the Syrian Interim Government.

About  school curricula, the sources stated that the Autonomous Administration curriculum will continue to be taught during the current and upcoming academic year until a comprehensive national curriculum is prepared for all of Syria. It would then be translated into Kurdish and adopted in Kurdish regions, ensuring protection of the special character of those areas.

The sources also noted that work is underway to prepare an optional Kurdish language textbook, though it will not be officially adopted in Autonomous Administration areas.

Meanwhile, the issue of institutes and universities has not yet been settled, as discussions on this matter remain postponed for now and will be addressed later.

The sources explained that the merger process includes education directorates and educational complexes, while emphasizing the need to preserve regional particularities, especially regarding training and education in the Kurdish language.

The issue of official recognition of certificates remains dependent on a decision by the Ministry of Education of the Syrian Interim Government, while consultations continue between the Autonomous Administration and the Interim Government to complete the details of the merger process.

ANHA