A high-profile conference convened by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) in territories controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has drawn the ire of Damascus and sparked questions over whether future reconciliation is even possible.
The participation of Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri and Ghazal Ghazal, head of the "Alawite Council"—both prominent critics of the Syrian government—was noteworthy. The conference's final communiqué demanded a new constitution, a restructured national army, and the adoption of decentralisation. In response, Damascus abruptly froze ongoing talks with the SDF in Paris.
Where do the parties go from here? Here, Al Majalla offers two different perspectives on what lies ahead for the concerned parties.
Read more:
1. The new Syria: allies at odds and Russia's return by Ibrahim Hamidi
2. Taif offers clues on the right governing formula for a new Syria by Sihanouk Dibo
3. Heading for a showdown? SDF conference riles Damascus by Subhi Franjieh
