RIHA – Speaking at the forum in Duhok, SDF General Commander Mazloum Abdi called for equal opportunities for Rojava in Syria’s reconstruction and emphasized that the process initiated by Abdullah Öcalan is an opportunity for the entire Middle East.

 

At the 6th Middle East Peace and Security Forum held in the city of Duhok in the Kurdistan Region, Mazloum Abdi, General Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), delivered a speech. The forum, organized under the leadership of the American University of Kurdistan in Duhok, hosts hundreds of leaders, political representatives, diplomats, and academics from Turkey, the Middle East, and many countries around the world, including Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.

 

Speaking at the forum, Abdi drew attention to current developments in North and East Syria and regional dynamics, stating: “The international community has given the Damascus administration an opportunity for Syria’s reconstruction. We want the same opportunity to apply to Rojava and to us. We have attacked no one and have never posed a threat to anyone. Our participation in Syria’s security forces should not be seen as a threat. On the contrary, our presence within the Syrian army is a factor of security and stability for neighboring countries as well. There are still disagreements on certain issues. If alignment is achieved, the March 10 Agreement can be implemented. Based on the meetings in the United States, efforts must be intensified to establish a new system. We must succeed in the dialogue process by the end of the year. Together with Rojava and other components, and with the participation of Kurds from other parts, we fought against ISIS. In the peace process of the Middle East, Kurds want to play a leading role.”

 

THE PEACE AND DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY PROCESS

 

Abdi also commented on the Peace and Democratic Society Process developed by Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan: “The peace process Leader Apo initiated on İmralı is not only an opportunity for Turkey but for the entire Middle East. We support this process. The Kurdistan Region has always stood by us. We appreciate President Masoud Barzani’s contribution to Kurdish dialogue in Rojava and his support for the peace process in Turkey. We expect this support to continue.”

 

Speaking about the system to be established in Syria, Abdi said: “Debates on the Syrian system continue. We will not allow a return to the centralized system of the Assad era. After 15 years of war, a decentralized system must be established, and the components must govern themselves.”

 

Abdi added: “We have been involved in conflict for a long time, and we have seen that dialogue always follows every war. Problems can be solved through dialogue. Even if you are the victor of a war, you still need to engage in dialogue. We saw this very clearly in Syria. The biggest reason for Assad’s downfall was the disappearance of dialogue, whereas we chose dialogue.”