Mazloum Abdi, commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), said the integration track with the Syrian government is making “gradual progress” in several military and administrative files, while “complications” persist in other files, chiefly the judiciary, education, the return of displaced people and detainees. He said the current phase represents a “new political transition” that requires continuing the “struggle” to guarantee Kurdish rights.
Abdi’s comments came during an extended interview with Hawar News Agency, which is close to the SDF. The interview addressed the main political, military and service files linked to the agreement and integration track, and the developments and challenges that have accompanied it at various levels.
Military Progress, Files Still Unresolved
Abdi said the military agreement, signed on January 29, had seen “important developments,” explaining that work is underway for commanders to assume their duties within military academies, with “tangible progress” in commanders’ acceptance of the process and in understandings related to the structure of military formations.
He added that the agreement did not include specific figures on the number of forces or formations, but focused on the “level of military formations,” noting that work is continuing to resolve the issue of numbers, both within the military forces and the internal security forces.
Abdi confirmed there is an understanding that no employee within the Autonomous Administration will be excluded, adding that efforts are continuing to reach a formula regarding SDF commanders and fighters who are outside the framework of official military formations.
Judiciary and Kurdish Language, Key Points of Dispute
On the judiciary file, Abdi said the crisis began around two weeks ago due to the “absence of a clear mechanism” for judges from the Autonomous Administration to join Syrian government institutions, along with concerns related to the rights of judges and the region’s particularity.
He said the reactions from judges and the judiciary administration were “rightful,” because they rejected exclusion, which contradicts the “essence of integration based on consensus.” He considered that the absence of understanding at the beginning disrupted the integration track and affected public opinion in the region.
Abdi pointed to several meetings held in Damascus and northeastern Syria to address the crisis, which ended with understandings to integrate Autonomous Administration judges and not exclude them. The understandings also included allowing some judges who had worked since the era of the former regime to continue, in order to ensure that judicial institutions keep operating and citizens’ interests are not disrupted.
He added that the Syrian government received lists of the names of Autonomous Administration judges in preparation for enrolling them in judicial courses and confirming them in courts. The two sides also agreed to accelerate the opening of judicial centers, given their link to basic services such as elections, passports, and the land registry.
Abdi also addressed the controversy sparked by the removal of the Kurdish language from the sign identifying the Palace of Justice in al-Hasakah (northeastern Syria). He said the Syrian government justified the move by saying the Palace of Justice is a “sovereign institution” that should carry a sign in Arabic only.
However, he pointed to new understandings that provide for adopting signs in both Arabic and Kurdish in Kurdish majority cities, such as Kobani (Aleppo, northern Syria), Qamishli, Amuda, and al-Darbasiyah (Hasakah, northeastern Syria), while the al-Hasakah sign would be reconsidered “at a later stage.”
He added that “the other side made pledges to solve the problem and restore the sign in both Arabic and Kurdish,” calling on “the younger generation” to give the understandings a chance and not disrupt the integration track.
Education and Certificates, Awaiting Signature
On education, Abdi said the issue of adopting Kurdish as a language of instruction “has not been resolved yet,” noting that discussions are continuing with the Syrian Ministry of Education.
He added that the SDF rejected reducing the reality of the Kurdish language to Decree No. 13, considering that this “does not meet the needs of Kurdish society.” For that reason, a special clause was included for dialogue with the Ministry of Education to reach solutions.
He explained that several meetings were held with education officials in Damascus, and understandings were reached that “take into account the aspirations of the Kurdish people,” but they have not yet been signed by the Syrian president.
Abdi confirmed that the Syrian government does not reject the matter “directly,” but speaks of “technical and procedural obstacles.” He added that recognition of Autonomous Administration certificates at the middle and secondary school levels “will be announced today or tomorrow,” alongside efforts to recognise university certificates and certificates from previous years.
He said Autonomous Administration curricula will continue during the current and next two years “so as not to harm students,” until new Syrian curricula are issued, with efforts to make them available in Kurdish.
Afrin, Delayed Return and Demands to Restore Rights
On the file of Afrin (Aleppo, northwestern Syria), Abdi said the return of displaced people and forcibly displaced residents had been delayed because of slow government procedures and the continued presence of armed groups that refuse to withdraw from the area.
He added that the Syrian government had made promises to return displaced residents “whether an agreement is reached with the SDF or not,” confirming that there are understandings not to “harm anyone” in Afrin, and to work on returning properties and lands to their owners.
Abdi stressed the need for the people of Afrin to receive the same rights as residents of Jazira and Ain al-Arab, or Kobani, whether in education, employment, or military service within their own areas.
He also called on Kurdish businesspeople and traders to support Afrin’s economy, considering that the area needs “broad development” and an improvement in living conditions.
Ras al-Ain and Tell Abyad, Steps to Return the Displaced
On the file of displaced people from Ras al-Ain (Hasakah, northeastern Syria) and Tell Abyad (Raqqa, northern Syria), Abdi said the delay in their return is due to the continued presence of armed groups, as well as the Syrian government’s incomplete administrative and security control in the two areas.
He explained that steps had begun to remove contact lines and keep only joint security checkpoints, contributing to restoring “normal conditions” and facilitating residents’ movement.
He pointed to villages that are “completely emptied” along the contact lines, where the SDF is working to return residents, in addition to preparations to send delegations of Ras al-Ain representatives to assess conditions and prepare for the return of displaced people.
Detainees File, “We Were Stabbed Despite the Withdrawal Decision”
On the detainee’s file, Abdi described the issue as “one of our priorities,” explaining that the capture of a large number of SDF fighters came after a decision to withdraw from areas in Deir Hafer (Aleppo, northern Syria), before “a stab occurred” and confrontations broke out between the two sides.
He said the Syrian Ministry of Defence and the United States “welcomed” the withdrawal decision, but the attack took place despite the agreement, leading to the capture of several fighters.
He added that some detained fighters had already been released, while contacts continue to secure the release of the rest “during the current week.”
Abdi also denied circulating figures on SDF deaths, confirming that the number reached around 260 male and female fighters across several areas, including Deir Hafer, Raqqa, Tabqa (Raqqa, northern Syria), Ain al-Arab, or Kobani, al-Malikiyah (Hasakah, northeastern Syria), and Tishrin Dam.
Agreement “Below Expectations,” but No Return to War
In his assessment of the agreement track with Damascus, Abdi said the agreement “did not meet all our ambitions,” but considered it “the maximum possible” under current circumstances. He added that both sides agree not to return to war and to resolve problems through dialogue.
He noted that there are parties “not satisfied” with the agreement on both sides, some inside Syrian state institutions and others within the Kurdish environment, but he ruled out the possibility that these parties would become a “main current.”
Abdi confirmed that Kurds must enter the upcoming parliamentary elections “with a unified discourse,” considering unity in the Kurdish position necessary to guarantee political and constitutional rights.
International Sponsorship and the Future Constitution
Regarding the Syrian constitution, Abdi said the demand for Kurdish representation within the constitutional committee had been raised during meetings with the Syrian government, expecting Kurds to have representation in it when it is formed.
He also confirmed that international sponsorship of the agreement track is continuing, pointing to the presence of representatives from the United States, France, and Britain during the signing of the agreement, in addition to continued contacts with these parties.
Abdi also discussed Turkey’s role, considering Ankara a “fundamental force” in the Syrian file, and saying the agreement’s success requires that “Turkey not be an obstacle” to its implementation. He revealed the existence of open channels of communication between the two sides to discuss security and political issues.
A “New Phase” in Syria
At the end of his remarks, Abdi said the region is “going through a new phase,” adding that integration with the Syrian state “does not mean the end of the struggle,” but rather represents “continuity within a new phase” aimed at guaranteeing Kurdish rights within Syria’s future.
He added that the next phase requires “reorganising community and civil institutions, strengthening Kurdish unity, and reinforcing relations with the various components of the Syrian people,” to ensure “the success of the integration track and the preservation of gains.”
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