Qamishli: On the occasion of Syria's 75th anniversary of independence, the Autonomous Administration of North-East Syria (AANES) has put forth an initiative aiming to address the Syrian crisis.
The primary focus of this initiative is to emphasise Syria's need for a second independence and to present nine key provisions for a comprehensive solution. By doing so, the AANES seeks to end the state of deadlock in the Syrian political process and bring an end to the ongoing crisis.
Eleven years have passed since Syria's membership in the Arab League was suspended, an action widely considered unfair. This suspension had significant repercussions, as it exposed the Syrian people to various regional and international interventions.
These interventions have complicated the demand for the desired change that began in mid-March 2011, encompassing regions from Quneitra and Hauran to Qamishli. The suspension led to the strengthening of the Syrian National Council, later transforming into the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), which occupied Syria's seat at the Doha Arab Summit in 2013.
Despite the political support and prominent members within the SOC, it has been unable to provide a solution or proactively seek one that represents the interests of the Syrian people.
Reinstating Syria's membership in the Arab League should not be misconstrued as a return to a highly centralised authority that does not align with the diverse nature of Syria. Nor should it be seen as undermining the aspirations of the Syrian people for change.
Reinstating Syria's membership in the Arab League should not be misconstrued as a return to a highly centralised authority that does not align with the diverse nature of Syria. Nor should it be seen as undermining the aspirations of the Syrian people for change.
Closing the door on external intervention
Instead, this initiative represents a genuine attempt to close the door on external interventions and thwart any expansionist schemes seeking to incorporate Syria. The recent statement by Süleyman Soylu, the former Turkish Minister of the Interior, claiming Aleppo as part of their national pact (Misak-ı Millî) and insisting Syria's alignment with this perspective, poses a direct challenge to the Arab initiative.
A member of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) (L) and US soldiers are pictured near an armoured military vehicles are pictured in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province, bordering Turkey, on March 27, 2023.
This holds greater significance as Turkey's ruling coalition, consisting of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and National Movement (MHP), is rooted in the principle of maximum integration, especially with the upcoming conclusion of the Turkish presidential elections on 28 May.
Between the two milestones of suspending Syria's membership in the Arab League and its readmission, significant developments have taken place.
The AAENS was established on the eve of the first Geneva conference on June 30, 2012, followed by numerous Geneva meetings and Astana tracks. Unfortunately, neither of these efforts yielded the desired breakthrough in the Syrian crisis.
Presently, Syrians perceive their country as divided into three or four entities. However, the legitimacy of the AAENS and its future prospects are affirmed by internal and objective factors.
Safeguarding Syria's diversity
The AAENS has played a vital role in safeguarding the diverse ethnic, national, religious, and sectarian components within this significant part of Syrian geography. Moreover, the AAENS has been instrumental in addressing the Syrian crisis on two occasions.
Firstly, its forces, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), supported by the American-led Arab international coalition against terrorism, successfully fought and eliminated the Islamic State (IS), which was considered the most perilous threat since World War II.
A worker at a primitive oil refinery poses for a picture at the facility in the town of al-Qahtaniya in Syria's Kurdish-controlled northeastern Hasakah province, near the border with Turkey, on November 15, 2021.
Nonetheless, it is crucial to acknowledge that the threat of IS persists, exerting influence and necessitating continuous national efforts to eradicate its material, financial, and ideological resources. This serves as the crux of the matter.
Furthermore, the AAENS has once again demonstrated its effectiveness as a model for achieving democratic change, symbolising the intertwined aspirations of the Syrian people for transformative reform.
It represents a significant and advanced implementation of International Resolution 2254 of 2015, which envisions Syria as a decentralised, democratic, and non-sectarian state.
It is worth noting that the AAENS, in accordance with its social contract, places a strong emphasis on embracing change, fostering development, and pursuing improvement to create the most favourable societal conditions and strengthen the Syrian national fabric.
The AAENS places a strong emphasis on embracing change, fostering development, and pursuing improvement to create the most favourable societal conditions and strengthen the Syrian national fabric.
In light of this, the AAENS believes it would be fair and appropriate for the Syrian dialogue, and the political process to some extent, to acknowledge its integral role within the broader Syrian administrative system.
This approach would establish an integrated cycle aimed at achieving heightened levels of participation, granting authority to the Syrian regions within a decentralised framework.
Such recognition would duly acknowledge the well-established and internationally-recognised authorities of the central government, while also endowing the AAENS with significant powers. This approach aligns with international legal principles and ensures the realisation of mutual authorities.
If the AAENS were to be recognised as part of the overall Syrian administrative system, with the involvement and blessing of the Arab League, this would mean that its demand and vision would have been achieved.
The AANES and its key political component, the Democratic Union Party (PYD), have always emphasised that Syria is part of its Arab and regional surroundings. Their practical steps and warnings against any intervention or occupation are documented and known to everyone.
Members of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) deploy outside Ghwayran prison in Syria's northeastern city of Hasakeh on January 26, 2022, after having declared over the facility following its takeover by Islamic State (IS).
The AANES forces (Syrian Democratic Forces, SDF) see themselves as an integral part of the Syrian army. Making the AANES part of the overall Syrian administrative system would strengthen the national role of the army in protecting Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and ending the Turkish occupation of northern regions and all foreign presence on Syrian soil.
Making the AANES part of the overall Syrian administrative system would strengthen the national role of the army in protecting Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and ending the Turkish occupation of northern regions and all foreign presence on Syrian soil.
The AANES' initiative for a Syrian solution, which coincided with the 75th anniversary of independence, emphasises Syria's need for a second independence. The initiative's nine provisions are seen as key components for a Syrian solution, a call to end the crisis, and a significant attempt to break the deadlock in the Syrian political process.
The AAENS places a strong emphasis on embracing change, fostering development, and pursuing improvement to create optimal societal conditions and strengthen the Syrian national fabric.
The number of fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces is 100,000
90% of Syrian oil is located east of the Euphrates
50% of Syrian gas is located east of the Euphrates
23% of Syrian's territory is controlled by the (SDF)
There are 2 sites for the Syrian government in Qamishli and Hasakah
There are 3 major dams located east of the Euphrates
