AANES rejects Syrian parliamentary elections, calls for political process
RAQQA, Syria (North Press) – The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) urged on Sunday the international community and the United Nations not to recognize the upcoming parliamentary elections announced by Syria’s transitional government.
In a statement, the AANES argued that the elections neither reflect the will of the Syrian people nor align with the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 2254.
The AANES indicated that the elections are “an attempt to reproduce the exclusionary policies that have governed Syria for decades,” adding that the process sidelines key Syrian communities and takes place in the absence of a safe and neutral environment, while forced displacement policies persist.
“Such conditions render the elections merely symbolic and far from democratic standards,” the statement read.
The AANES condemned the timing of the elections, saying it represents “a clear disregard for the suffering of Syrians and the exclusion of nearly half the population from political participation, whether inside the country or among refugees and the diaspora.”
It argued that the move entrenches marginalization instead of contributing to a comprehensive political solution.
The statement also rejected claims that North and East Syria is “unsafe,” stressing that the region is among the most stable parts of the country. “Such allegations are used to justify policies of denial and exclusion against more than five million Syrians,” it said.
It emphasized that decisions taken unilaterally and without genuine inclusion of all Syrian communities “cannot be binding” on the people of North and East Syria.
The AANES concluded by reaffirming that a solution to the Syrian crisis can only be achieved through an inclusive political process that guarantees the free participation of all Syrians in building a democratic, pluralistic, and decentralized state that safeguards rights, freedoms, peace, and stability.
On Saturday, the Syrian government postponed the vote in the governorates of Suwayda, Hasakah, and Raqqa that are run by the AANES, citing “security challenges.”