Al-Sharaa: No to separation, dialogue possible with Kurds, Suwayda

By Saad al-Yaziji

DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa said on Tuesday that all political solutions with the Kurds and the people of Suwayda can be discussed, except for separation, stressing that solutions must remain within the framework of Syria’s unity.

Speaking to Kuwait’s al-Nahar newspaper, al-Sharaa emphasized that “any calls for separation inside Syria will remain mere dreams,” adding that the state’s policy is “based on tolerance, not revenge.”

The president stated that he does not belong to the Muslim Brotherhood and described himself as “the biggest victim” of the Islamic State (ISIS). He further noted that “all nationalist and Islamist ideologies in the region have failed,” while asserting that Syria is entering what he called a “renaissance on all levels.”

The Syrian leader also rejected foreign interference in Lebanon’s internal affairs and dismissed the notion of a “river of fire separating Syria and Lebanon.” At the same time, he praised Iraq’s political and economic stance toward Syria, highlighting the importance of bilateral ties.

The president’s remarks come amid ongoing debates over governance and political rights in Syria’s diverse regions. The Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), backed by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), continues to govern large areas in the northeast, where local demands have focused on decentralization, political recognition, and security stability. In parallel, the southern governorate of Suwayda has witnessed recurring protests in recent years calling for political reforms and better living conditions.

While al-Sharaa underlined his opposition to separation, his comments indicate a potential opening for dialogue on broader political arrangements within a united Syria.