North Syria’s “Unity of Communities” conference urges new constitution, decentralized system
By Taysir Muhammed
HASAKAH, Syria (North Press) – The concluding statement of the “Unity of Components” conference held in Hasakah, northeast Syria, on August 8, 2025, called for the drafting of a new democratic constitution that guarantees political pluralism and fair participation of all Syrian communities. The conference emphasized establishing a decentralized system that respects the cultural and geographic particularities of the region.
The gathering, which included prominent tribal leaders, representatives from the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), and religious figures, stressed that the region’s ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity represents a source of strength rather than threat. Participants urged reconsideration of the current constitutional declaration, describing it as insufficient in meeting the aspirations of Syrians for freedom and dignity.
The final statement highlighted decades of marginalization and exclusion experienced by local communities under centralized governance, particularly under the Assad regime. It noted ongoing violations against populations in coastal and southern regions, including Sweida and Christian areas, categorizing some actions as potential crimes against humanity that require impartial investigation.
Delegates expressed appreciation for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), describing them as a vital foundation for the formation of a new Syrian national army. They reaffirmed commitment to the outcomes of the Abdi-Shar’ agreement and the “Unity of Kurdish Stance” conference as steps toward inclusive national consensus.
The conference’s attendees featured key figures such as Ghazal Ghazal, head of the Supreme Alawite Islamic Council in Syria and the diaspora, who advocated for a secular, pluralistic, and decentralized civil state, describing decentralization as the sole viable path toward a secure and just future.
Tribal elders from the Jabbur and Sharabin tribes called for accelerating the integration between the Autonomous Administration and the Syrian state. They condemned inflammatory rhetoric from some government-controlled areas and underscored the need for unity and protection of civil peace.
Ilham Ahmed, head of the External Relations Department of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), said on Thursday that political pluralism is “an essential requirement for building a modern and inclusive Syria,” warning that the persistence of a unilateral mindset will only deepen crises and obstruct political solutions.
The conference concluded by advocating administrative boundary reforms to better reflect demographic realities and local specificities. It also called for increased involvement of women, youth, and civil society in reconstruction and decision-making processes, emphasizing dialogue and civil peace as cornerstones of progress.
The final document issued by the conference expressed a “free will and shared collective consciousness to build a unified, democratic, decentralized Syria governed by law and respecting human dignity.”