Ilham Ahmad urges Syrian dialogue for stability, forcibly displaced returns
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Ilham Ahmad, Co-Chair of the Foreign Relations Department of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), stressed on Wednesday the urgent need for an inclusive Syrian dialogue to achieve genuine participation in governance and build a real democracy.
Speaking to Independent Arabia, Ahmad said the dialogue must ensure equality in rights, responsibilities, and duties for all Syrians, with international guarantors playing a crucial role in facilitating the process.
She emphasized that Syria must remain united while recognizing the rights of its diverse ethnic and religious communities. Transparency in decision-making is also essential, she added.
Ahmad described the Paris Conference as an important platform, noting that international parties had reached a preliminary consensus on ending the Syrian crisis, securing stability, facilitating the return of refugees and the IDPs, and supporting reconstruction.
However, the Syrian government objected twice to participation, prompting bilateral meetings in Damascus to narrow differences and prepare for specialized committee discussions, according to Ahmad.
Regarding the March 10 agreement, signed by Syrian Transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa and SDF Commander-in-Chief Mazloum Abdi, Ahmad affirmed AANES’s commitment to implementing its provisions. “We have discussed ideas that can build trust and advance the political process,” she said, while awaiting a scheduled committee meeting.
Ahmad also highlighted the ongoing plight of displaced Syrians from areas including Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain), Tel Abyad, and Afrin, many of whom remain in schools in Raqqa and Tabqa, disrupting education. She stressed the importance of agreements to ensure safe, voluntary returns.
Also, Ilham Ahmad underlined the strategic role of Arab countries in stabilizing Syria. “The Arab depth is vital for Syria’s recovery and for fostering good relations with neighboring states,” she said, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to address past atrocities and rebuild the country.