{"id":127877,"date":"2025-08-02T08:30:12","date_gmt":"2025-08-02T08:30:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/npasyria.com\/en\/?p=127877"},"modified":"2025-08-02T08:43:03","modified_gmt":"2025-08-02T08:43:03","slug":"kurdish-syrian-politicians-endorse-decentralization-to-address-crises","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/npasyria.com\/en\/127877\/","title":{"rendered":"Kurdish Syrian politicians endorse decentralization to address crises"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Dilsoz Youssef<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

HASAKAH, Syria (North Press) \u2013<\/strong> As Syria remains gripped by political fragmentation and escalating security unrest, growing voices across the political spectrum are calling for the adoption of a decentralized system of governance. Advocates argue that decentralization is the most realistic solution to Syria\u2019s ongoing crises and essential for building a democratic, pluralistic state that respects the country\u2019s ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Syrians are closely watching the anticipated continuation of talks in Paris between representatives of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) and the Syrian transitional government. The talks build upon the March 10 agreement, amid uncertainty over what form Syria\u2019s future governance might take. The issue has taken on new urgency following the recent violent events in both the coastal regions and in Suwayda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Decentralization as a realistic and national option<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Darwish, a Kurdish Syrian politician, emphasized that decentralization should not be seen as an end in itself but rather as a practical mechanism to address the country\u2019s deep-rooted problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Syrians have suffered under the grip of a repressive authoritarian regime since 1963” Darwish said. “In this context, decentralization is viable only if implemented as part of a comprehensive political settlement.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He stressed that decentralization does not mean separation, on the contrary, “Decentralization helps reduce the burden on the central government.”  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Syria\u2019s diversity a source of strength<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Saleh Abdo, another Kurdish Syrian politician, echoed this sentiment, describing Syria as \u201ca nation of multiple ethnicities, religions, and sects\u2014a mosaic that should be seen as a strength, not a weakness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abdo referred to the \u201cKurdish Unity Conference\u201d held in Qamishli in late April, which called for a parliamentary system rooted in political pluralism, peaceful power transfer, separation of powers, and local councils functioning within a decentralized framework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

General Mazloum Abdi, commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), also reiterated in a recent interview with Al-Hadath TV that decentralization is the most suitable governance model for Syria\u2019s current reality, insisting it does not contradict the principle of national unity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“However, the highly centralized regime that has ruled Syria since independence has refused to recognize this diversity,” Abdo added. “Instead sought to reshape Syria into a nation of one color and one form.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He indicated that the recent massacres in Syria\u2019s coastal regions, Suwayda, and ongoing killings in cities like Homs, Hama, Damascus, and Aleppo underscore the urgent need for a decentralized political system to address Syria\u2019s many challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ensuring diversity, minority rights<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Selda Simon, an Armenian political activist, voiced strong support for decentralization, calling it the most effective path for building Syria\u2019s future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDecentralization reinforces pluralism and diversity\u2014values that reflect Syria\u2019s religious, cultural, and ethnic richness,” she told North Press.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simon emphasized that, following the fall of the previous regime, security tensions and hate speech have surged. In response, she said, it is essential to institutionalize decentralization as a safeguard for the rights and freedoms of all components of Syrian society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We call for the general adoption of decentralization because it guarantees the rights and freedoms of all components of Syrian society,” she noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many politicians and activists argue that the transitional government has failed to halt the bloodshed in Syria in the seven months since the fall of the previous regime. They warn that recent violent incidents\u2014particularly in the coastal region in March and Suwayda in mid-July, which left hundreds dead\u2014have only deepened societal divisions and heightened the urgency for a new governance model centered on decentralization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n