SDC: Parliamentary elections must include all Syrians

SDC Co-chair Mahmoud al-Meslat
SDC Co-chair Mahmoud al-Meslat

By Abdulsalam khoja

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The co-chair of the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), Mahmoud al-Meslat, said on Sunday that the upcoming parliamentary elections in Syria represent a national entitlement, but warned they must be inclusive of all Syrians without exception.

Speaking in an interview with al- Arabiya al-Hadath channel, al-Meslat stressed that excluding any region or community, particularly Suwayda and North and East Syria, would not serve national reconciliation. “Such exclusion only entrenches division at a time when Syrians need unity to build a shared future,” he said.

The SDC co-chair emphasized that “a genuine democracy cannot be achieved while marginalizing regions or communities of the Syrian people.” He added that the political process must bring Syrians together, affirming, “We are part of the Syrian people, and from the beginning we extended our hand to the Syrian government to achieve success.”

Al-Meslat pointed to the March agreement between Syrian President for the transitional stage and Mazloum Abdi, commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as “clear evidence of efforts toward national reconciliation and a new Syria—pluralistic, democratic, and free for all Syrians.”

He underlined that North and East Syria enjoys stability and security, rejecting claims of insecurity in the region. “Talking about security threats here is nothing more than pretexts used to exclude the region from participation,” he said.

Al-Meslat further stated that the coming Syrian parliament should be legitimate and representative of all Syrians. He urged Damascus to recognize that North and East Syria is an integral part of the country, where residents believe in Syria’s unity and seek an active role in its political future.

Earlier on Sunday, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) called on the international community and the United Nations not to recognize the parliamentary elections being prepared by the Syrian transitional government. The AANES said the vote does not reflect the will of Syrians and contradicts the principles of a political settlement under UN Resolution 2254.