SDF leader: No more room for war, Syria needs dialogue now

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
Today 15:29

Mazloum Abdi urges Turkey to stop viewing SDF institutions as a threat and calls for inclusive governance and trust-building in Syria’s peace process.

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Syria’s Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, right, shakes hands with Mazloum Abdi, left, the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, in Damascus, Syria, on March 10, 2025 (SANA via AP)

The commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Mazloum Abdi, declared that Syria has reached a critical juncture where “there is no longer room for war,” stressing that comprehensive dialogue remains the only viable path to resolving the conflict that has devastated the country for over 13 years.

Speaking at the Middle East Peace and Security Forum in Duhok, located in Iraq's Kurdistan Region, Abdi described the March 10 agreement as a pivotal moment that prevented Syria from descending into full-scale civil war.

It is worth noting that the March 10 agreement was signed between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Autonomous Administration, emphasizing the importance of partnership with the Kurds as an integral component of Syria, while also calling for a clear separation between the SDF and the broader Syrian Kurdish community.

He said the agreement marked a substantial step toward unity, blocking efforts to divide the country while securing constitutional recognition of Kurdish rights, despite the difficult political climate and partial mediation through which the accord was reached.

Decentralization is a non-negotiable demand

Abdi noted that while progress has been made, key issues around governance and administrative structures are still under negotiation. He stressed that Syria “will not return to a centralised system after all that has happened during the war,” stating this as a firm and non-negotiable position for the communities of northern and eastern Syria.

He highlighted that the process of dialogue remains fragile, pointing to several unresolved challenges. These include the lack of trust among negotiating parties, ongoing threats to the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh districts in Aleppo, and the continued marginalization of various local actors by government forces, actions that he said have only deepened divisions and hindered reconciliation.

The only solution

“Syria’s needs today cannot be met through fighting,” Abdi emphasized, calling instead for inclusive and comprehensive national negotiations. He noted that some progress had been achieved in military and security-related matters in coordination with the transitional government.

Reiterating the peaceful intent of the institutions in northern and eastern Syria, Abdi asserted that the Autonomous Administration and the SDF do not pose a threat to any party. He addressed Turkey directly, urging de-escalation and recognition of local governance structures.

“We call on our neighbour Türkiye not to view our military, administrative, and security institutions as a threat,” Abdi stated. “They are institutions of peace and security.”