Ilham Ahmad says education, women’s role key hurdles in integration
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Ilham Ahmad, Co-Chair of the Department of Foreign Relations of the Kurdish Autonomous Administration, said on Monday that a recent meeting in Damascus addressed obstacles slowing implementation of the January 29 integration agreement between the Autonomous Administration and the Syrian transitional government.
On April 15, Ahmad and Mazloum Abdi, Commander-in-Chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), visited Damascus and met with Syrian Transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani.
She said the education file remains unresolved, with certificates issued in northeast Syria still unrecognized. The ministers of education and higher education are expected to visit Hasakah to establish a mechanism to close the file and later discuss the education system and language of instruction.
Ahmad added that administrative steps so far were limited to appointing directorates in health and education, while other appointments remain pending.
She described the integration process as slow, noting complications caused by appointments made by the transitional government after the fall of the Assad regime that must be reconciled with the Autonomous Administration’s cadres and experience.
She indicated that a mechanism had been set for managing the Semalka crossing and other crossings, but problems emerged during implementation.
Also, Women’s representation remains a challenge, she added, noting that recent director appointments were all men despite proposals including women.
The Kurdish official pointed out that the status of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) is still under discussion, adding that parliamentary representation, municipal reorganization, drafting a new constitution, and the release of detainees were also raised during the meeting.