Kurdish National Council Criticizes Exclusion from Syria’s National Dialogue Preparatory Committee
By Kardo Roj
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Kurdish National Council (KNC) in Syria expressed concerns on Thursday regarding the formation of the preparatory committee for the upcoming National Dialogue Conference, highlighting the absence of Kurdish representation and its implications for political and ethnic inclusivity.
On Wednesday, the Syrian presidency announced the establishment of a seven-member preparatory committee tasked with organizing the National Dialogue Conference. The committee’s formation has been met with criticism for not adequately reflecting Syria’s diverse political and ethnic landscape.
In an official statement, the KNC emphasized, “We see that the formation of the preparatory committee for the National Dialogue Conference, announced on February 11, should have reflected the reality of political and ethnic pluralism in the country, ensuring genuine representation of all national components, given the importance of this in the success of any dialogue process seeking serious solutions to Syrian issues.”
The council further stated that “the exclusion of Kurdish representation from this committee constitutes a breach of the principle of pluralism and raises legitimate concerns about the approach to dealing with Syrian components as true partners in shaping the country’s future.”
The KNC called for rectifying this oversight by reconsidering the committee’s composition and ensuring fair and effective participation of the Kurdish people and all other parties in all announced committees.
This development comes amid broader discussions about inclusivity in Syria’s political processes. The preparatory committee has asserted that groups refusing to disarm and integrate under the defense ministry’s authority would be excluded from the national dialogue on Syria’s future. This stance particularly affects the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), who currently control significant areas in northern and eastern Syria.
Huda al-Atassi, a member of the organizing committee, emphasized the conference’s goal of achieving national consensus, justice, reform, and inclusion to lay the foundations for Syria’s future. She noted that the conference seeks to incorporate diverse Syrian social, political, and economic perspectives, with contributions from women and various communities. However, she clarified that Kurdish-led forces in northeast Syria and loyalists of former president Bashar Assad would be excluded from the process.
The KNC’s concerns highlight ongoing challenges in ensuring comprehensive representation in Syria’s evolving political landscape. As the country navigates its post-conflict reconstruction, the inclusion of all ethnic and political groups remains a critical factor for achieving lasting peace and stability.