Kurdish National Council Leader Outlines Framework for Upcoming Unity Conference in Syria

By Kardo Roj

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – A senior official from the Kurdish National Council (KNC, the Kurdish acronym ENKS) in Syria revealed key details on Wednesday regarding the highly anticipated Kurdish Unity Conference, scheduled to take place on April 26 in northeast Syria, a region administered by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES).

Speaking exclusively to North Press, Suleiman Oso, a member of the KNC’s presidential body and secretary of the Kurdistan Yekiti Party – Syria, explained that the conference will bring together over 300 Kurdish figures from across the political spectrum in Rojava (northern Syria) to endorse a unified political vision for the future of the Kurdish people and Syria as a whole.

The initiative follows an announcement by Mazloum Abdi, Commander-in-Chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), who confirmed the conference date during a press appearance on Tuesday. The SDF has played a central role in facilitating dialogue among Kurdish political actors in the region.

According to Oso, the conference will review and discuss a draft political vision jointly developed by parties within the Kurdish National Unity Parties (PYNK), the KNC, and several unaffiliated Kurdish political organizations. The document outlines a dual focus: the desired structure of the Syrian state and the collective national rights of the Kurdish people.

“This is a vision that reflects years of dialogue and seeks to unify the Kurdish position without compromising Syria’s territorial integrity,” Oso said. The conference will be closed to media for most of its sessions, with a three-member presidential board delivering the opening remarks and guiding the proceedings.

Once ratified, the vision document will be presented to Syrian authorities in Damascus by a joint Kurdish delegation, whose members will be chosen following the conclusion of the conference.

Oso noted that while the number of participants is still being finalized, the attendance is expected to exceed 300 individuals, all of whom currently reside in Rojava. The conference is seen as a critical step in consolidating Kurdish representation amid ongoing national and regional transformations.

The emphasis on Kurdish unity is widely viewed as part of a broader effort to ensure the community’s political agency in any future Syrian settlement. The KNC, alongside other Kurdish political entities, views decentralization as the most viable model for Syria’s future—a position increasingly echoed by international observers and local stakeholders.

The Kurdish Unity Conference comes at a pivotal moment for northeast Syria, where the AANES continues to build institutions of self-governance amid ongoing challenges from Turkish-backed forces, ISIS remnants, and economic instability. The SDF, backed by the U.S.-led Global Coalition, has played a crucial role in safeguarding this region, enabling political dialogue to flourish in a relatively secure environment.

By fostering consensus among Kurdish parties, the conference could bolster the region’s internal cohesion and strengthen its negotiating position with Damascus and international actors. While the event is framed as an internal Kurdish matter, its outcomes may have broader implications for Syrian political dynamics, particularly if a unified delegation emerges with a concrete proposal for dialogue with the central government.

In concluding his remarks, Oso called on all Syrian communities to support the Kurdish unity initiative, stating that Kurdish demands for rights and recognition are not aimed against any state or group but are part of a broader vision for a democratic, inclusive Syria.

“Our hand is extended to all,” Oso said. “We believe that Kurdish unity serves Syrian unity. This is not a partisan initiative—it’s a national one.”

The coming days will determine whether this effort can deliver lasting political coordination among Kurdish actors and contribute to a more stable and pluralistic future for Syria.