AANES seeks open borders, stresses Syria’s unity
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Foreign Relations Department of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) said on Sunday that it is working to open border crossings, including the Qamishli–Nusaybin crossing, to reassure neighboring countries that the administration’s policy is based on openness and cooperation, not isolation or exclusion.
In a statement published on its official website, the department emphasized that all specialized committees in North and East Syria—including those handling constitutional, administrative, security, and service-related matters—remain fully prepared to begin their work once Damascus sets a suitable timeline.
The statement added: “Out of our national and historical responsibility toward Syria’s future and its people in all their components, we reaffirm our commitment to Syria’s unity, rejecting any projects or proposals that threaten its territorial integrity or lead to division.”
It noted that the March 10 agreement and subsequent meetings between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian president Ahmad al- Shar’a provided an important foundation for constructive dialogue.
The statement stressed that while these meetings created a positive atmosphere reflecting a genuine will to reach consensus solutions, this has yet to be translated into tangible actions on the ground, raising legitimate questions about the seriousness of official institutions in Damascus in seizing this historic opportunity for resolution.
It highlighted that the experience of North and East Syria has shown the greatest commitment to national unity and stability—through sacrifices to liberate these areas from the former regime, confronting “the most brutal international terrorist networks,” and the ability to manage affairs and provide services for millions without discrimination.
The department clarified that labeling decentralization, shared governance, or national reconciliation efforts as calls for secession is inaccurate and risks increasing divisions among Syrians rather than strengthening unity.
Finally, the statement emphasized that any realistic approach to a Syrian settlement must comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2254, which forms the internationally agreed framework for a Syrian-to-Syrian political process.