Talks of Syria’s AANES-opposition rapprochement evokes different views
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Talks about potential rapprochement between the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) and the Syrian Opposition National Coalition (SNA) evoked different opinions.
Some supported the idea as it channels into the interest of Syria while concerned parties had different opinions.
Jihan Samman, an Aleppo-based civil activist, told North Press that there are many indications about the probability of starting a dialogue between the SNC and AANES one of which is “the US unwillingness to allow Russia deal alone with the Syrian issue.”
Samman noted the US seeks to “pressure the Syrian government and harass it to create a new regime in Syria and to alleviate Turkey’s concerns by creating a balance between powers in the region and to form a balanced political and administrative entity that could push everyone towards a settlement with it.”
Saman does not deny that this step is “difficult and needs time to rebuild confidence between the two parties.”
“In case of any agreement, there will be eventually federation. The area will accommodate northeast and northwest Syria to become a safe one for Syrians that could return without security- related fears,” Samman said.
She believes such an agreement could alleviate the economic blockade witnessed by the region which would have windows with Turkey and Iraq, “there will be re-invention of a new unified Syria.”
Activists attributed the probability of such an agreement to what has been circulated that Turkey abandoned the SNC after it had tried to come closer to the Syrian government with the approach of presidential elections in Turkey in 2023.”
Forced marriage
Saleh Muslim, co-chair of Democratic Union Party (PYD) revealed that it is better for the SNC to “return to the right direction after it has become clear that Turkey had used it to obstruct any Syrian solution and achieve its aspirations.”
In a statement to North Press, Muslim denied his knowledge of any agreement between the AANES and the SNC, since the latter “is still in the lap of the Turkish state and what is being circulated by media outlets are mere expectations and analyses.”
Muslim likened any official meeting between Turkey and Syria to a “forced marriage” that does not serve the political solution sought by Syrians.
Political analysts indicated that it is better for the opposition to reconcile with the Syrian government rather than the AANES since “goals of both parties do not converge on many issues in addition to the way of raising ideas.”
In turn, Youssef Hamoud, the spokesperson for the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) commented on the issue, saying, “If countries involved in the Syrian issue seek to render any reconciliation precursor between the opposition and the government the latter will reject.”
Hamoud attributed that to a saying released by the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2013, “We seek the useful Syria,” adding, in this way he would not be unable to have a vision for the future of Syria.
He indicated that “the Syrian government seeks partition since it knows its downfall would be with the exit of the last foreign soldier from the region, while the opposition tries to prevent partition.”
Big Gap
Shelal Gedo, member in the Syrian Opposition National Coalition said there are no indications on the horizon of any approach towards the AANES.
Gedo said, “The issue of normalizing relations with the Administration [AANES] is ruled out and it is not planned at all.”
The SNC’s member said, “There are a number of practices by the AANES do not run in line with Syrians’ interests, including the Kurdish component, such as closing down schools and private institutes though AANES’s curricula have not been recognized yet.”
“The fate of thousands of students is left unknown that may promote families to leave the region thus the region could be emptied,” Gedo added.
Gedo believes that the “gap between the SNC and AANES is still a big one.”