QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – One year after the “Kurdish Unity and Common stance” conference in northeast Syria, its outcomes remain largely theoretical, with limited implementation and no tangible progress in negotiations with Damascus despite initial expectations of reshaping relations between Kurds and the Syrian state.
The conference, held in Qamishli in April 2025, brought together a broad spectrum of Kurdish political parties and forces. It resulted in a unified political document and a decision to form a joint negotiating delegation, marking a rare moment of consensus following years of political division.
However, this momentum has not translated into concrete steps. The joint delegation has yet to carry out its intended role, and no formal negotiation channels have been opened with the Syrian government. Syrian authorities have not received any unified Kurdish delegation, underscoring the continued gap between the two sides.
Over the past year, several factors have contributed to slowing the implementation of the conference’s outcomes. Chief among them is the complex relationship with Damascus, which has approached the political document with caution. Key demands, including constitutional recognition of Kurdish identity, political decentralization, and the unification of Kurdish-majority areas under a single administration, remain points of sensitivity for the central government.
While these proposals formed a basis for internal Kurdish consensus, they have encountered resistance from Damascus, which continues to favor a centralized governance model and treats demands with ethnic or administrative dimensions cautiously.
At the same time, the conference has not succeeded in maintaining a unified Kurdish political discourse during key developments. Differences among Kurdish parties resurfaced during recent attacks on areas in northeast Syria, particularly regarding the characterization of events and responses, weakening the image of unity the conference sought to establish.
Observers point to the absence of a clear organizational structure to manage the conference’s outcomes, as well as the lack of a binding political framework, as factors that have kept the توافق largely symbolic rather than operational.
In this context, a presidential decree issued by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa regarding “Kurdish rights” served as a test for the conference’s outcomes. The decree included general references to cultural and service-related rights but did not address constitutional recognition of Kurdish identity or outline a political framework ensuring meaningful power-sharing.
The decree is seen as an initial step but does not yet constitute a sufficient foundation for a comprehensive political settlement.
Regional and international dynamics have also played a role in shaping the trajectory of the Kurdish unity process. Syria’s position within broader geopolitical shifts has reinforced Damascus’s emphasis on centralized sovereignty, while international priorities have leaned toward security stability over addressing complex political files, including the Kurdish issue.
After one year, the results reflect a mix of progress and challenges. Kurdish parties have succeeded in producing a joint political document and reducing traditional divisions, but have yet to translate this consensus into effective political leverage or a functional negotiation track.
While the conference remains an important political reference in principle, its continued relevance depends on the ability of Kurdish actors to reactivate its outcomes, unify their positions on key issues, and engage with Damascus in a manner that leads to clear constitutional arrangements within the Syrian state.