Kobani Administration says Damascus violates integration deal
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Autonomous Administration in Kobani said on Thursday that the Syrian government has failed to adhere to an agreement on integrating institutions, following tensions and protests in the Jalabiya subdistrict.
In a statement, the administration condemned what it described as actions by the Aleppo Governorate administration, accusing it of appointing administrators to local institutions in Jalabiya without consulting residents and preventing locals from issuing a statement rejecting the appointments.
The administration said that under an agreement signed between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian government in January, institutions in the region were to be integrated while respecting the will of local communities, with administrative positions assigned to residents of the area.
“According to this basis, the governor of Hasakah and several other administrators were appointed from among the province’s residents,” the statement read. “However, this process has not been implemented in Kobani, where administrators are being appointed from outside the region.”
It added that officials had already been appointed to institutions in the subdistricts of Sarrin and Jalabiya without consultation with Kobani residents.
The administration also reported that residents of Kobani and Jalabiya gathered to issue a statement expressing their instance regarding these measures, but were prevented from doing so.
“Internal Security Forces and military forces affiliated with the Syrian government intervened violently, prevented people from issuing the statement, assaulted civilians, and attempted to detain some of them,” the statement said.
The administration stated that these actions contradict the terms of the January 29 agreement and said the Aleppo Governorate administration is not complying with the integration deal reached between Damascus and the SDF.
“These measures hinder the implementation of the integration agreement,” it added.
The Kobani administration called on the Syrian transitional government to commit to the terms of the January 29 agreement and to implement the integration process accordingly.
“We, as the administration and people of Kobani, condemn these actions and affirm that we will not accept any alternatives outside this framework,” the statement said.