AANES criticizes Syrian Dialogue Committee for exclusion, marginalization
RAQQA, Syria (North Press) – The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) criticized on Saturday the Preparatory Committee for the Syrian National Dialogue that was founded by Damascus caretaker government, accusing it of failing to represent the diversity of the Syrian people and neglecting their aspirations.
“The committee does not reflect the various components of Syrian society, nor does it meet their expectations,” the AANES said in a statement. “No meaningful dialogue can occur under such exclusionary and marginalizing practices.”
It added, “This approach marks the beginning of a marginalization policy that Syrians will never accept.”
The AANES emphasized its commitment to ensuring Syria’s diversity is respected in any dialogue process, rejecting sectarian power-sharing arrangements.
It stressed that preserving Syria’s territorial and societal unity remains a core goal.
The statement further criticized the announcement of the Preparatory Committee as indicative of a “restrictive and narrow-minded approach,” describing it as a misjudgment of Syria’s complex reality.
“This flawed direction reveals a clear deficiency in the pursuit of democratic transformation for a new Syria,” the statement read.
The AANES warned that the exclusionary stance of the committee, along with its rigid and inflexible approach, risks reviving the old centralized governance model—a system that people in northeastern Syria oppose.
It underlined the need for “genuine representation of all Syrians without exclusion,” calling for the development of national unity standards and the promotion of political and civil partnership.
It also stressed that the transition process requires inclusive participation from all political currents, civil society groups, and women, ensuring that the voices of the nearly five million residents in AANES-governed areas are not ignored.
The statement came in response to the Preparatory Committee’s first press conference on Feb. 13, during which it declared that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were not invited to the National Dialogue Conference, arguing that the SDF “does not represent the eastern provinces or their residents.”