Al-Sharaa rejects federalism, calls for implementation of SDF deal
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Syria’s interim president Ahmad al-Sharaa urges the SDF to uphold the March agreement on national unity, rejecting federalism proposals and stressing the need to maintain Syria’s territorial integrity.
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Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, during a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, following their meeting at the presidential palace in Ankara, Turkey, Feb. 4, 2025 (AP)
Syria’s interim president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, called on the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to fully commit to the so-called national agreement reached in March, which aims to integrate the SDF into Syria’s state institutions and preserve the country’s unity.
His remarks came amid growing concerns over recent statements and actions by SDF leaders advocating for federalism, which he described as inconsistent with the terms of the agreement.
The agreement, announced on March 10, outlined key provisions including a nationwide ceasefire, the integration of civil and military institutions in northeastern Syria under state administration, and the recognition of the Kurdish community as an essential component of the Syrian state with full citizenship and constitutional rights.
It also emphasized political representation for all Syrians, the protection of displaced persons, and the rejection of any efforts to partition the country or incite division.
Concerns over federalism, demographic changes in Northeastern Syria
Al-Sharaa stressed that any attempt to impose a federal system or self-administration without national consensus would undermine the agreement’s spirit and Syria’s territorial integrity. He warned against the disruption of state institutions in areas controlled by the SDF and stated that decision-making in northeastern Syria cannot be monopolized by a single group.
While reaffirming what he described as Syria’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of the Kurdish population within a unified state, based on equal citizenship, he noted that unity in both land and people remains a fundamental principle. Al-Sharaa also expressed concern over actions that could signal attempts at demographic change in some regions, urging all parties to avoid measures that threaten Syria’s national identity.
The interim president concluded by calling on the SDF and all signatories to honor their obligations and prioritize Syria’s stability, sovereignty, and the well-being of its diverse communities.
Al-Hasakah rejects Syria's transitional declaration
Several cities in Syria's al-Hasakah province, under SDF control, saw widespread protests following the signing of Syria’s constitutional declaration.
Protesters, mainly Syrian Kurds, held banners condemning the exclusionary practices of the new government, which has sidelined Syrian communities from the national dialogue and the committee that drafted the constitutional declaration. They voiced their rejection of marginalization policies, which they viewed as a continuation of the previous regime's tactics.
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