SDC official says disagreement with Syrian government centers on “integration”
ALEPPO, Syria (North Press) – Fundamental differences remain between the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) and the Syrian transitional government over the concept of integration, Hassan Mohammed Ali, head of the SDC’s Public Relations Office, said on Monday.
“In the March 10 agreement, particularly on the issue of integration, there are differences in how the concept is understood,” Mohammed Ali told North Press. “For us, integration means establishing a new Syria.”
He added, “It must be foundational and democratic—not imposed, but participatory, with everyone involved in building it. Only then can the dilemma be resolved.”
He contrasted this vision with that of the transitional government, which, he said, regards integration as dissolving existing institutions into its own structures. This divergence, according to him, has become one of the main obstacles to advancing the agreement.
“The transitional government is, in reality, a de facto authority,” Mohammed Ali stressed, noting that it was neither elected nor mandated by an inclusive national conference representing all Syrian political and social forces.
He further pointed out that northeastern Syria had not participated in the conference held by the transitional government, undermining its claim to legitimacy.
“Syria today has no constitution, no elections, and no legitimate mandate—in other words, it is a de facto government,” he said.
Given this situation, Mohammed Ali argued that both the transitional government and northeastern Syria should not pursue institutional absorption but rather focus on “re-establishment—the dismantling of former regime institutions and rebuilding anew.”