On April 8, the DeFacto Platform for Dialogue convened a session to discuss the ongoing negotiations between the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) and the Syrian government. The session was anchored in the context of the March 10 agreement between Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Mazloum Abdi.
In the first part, journalist Shirin Ibrahim conducted a comprehensive conversation with Ilham Ahmad, co-chair of the AANES Foreign Relations Department, addressing the key issues at stake in Syria’s current transitional phase, the recently announced understandings with the central government, and the concerns of displaced communities and local populations.
The second part of the session opened the floor to civil society activists, media professionals, and political figures who raised critical questions and voiced concerns regarding the guarantees for a political process aimed at achieving peace, justice, and fundamental freedoms in Syria.
The DeFacto’s initiative is part of a broader effort to foster open debate and bring together divergent Syrian perspectives around shared national interests.
Key takeaways from Ilham Ahmad’s remarks
- Framework for a new political process:
Ilham Ahmad described the March agreement as a foundational document outlining broad principles that can guide both current and future cooperation. Civil and political actors will participate in the committees formed under this agreement, which touches on multiple aspects of life in Syria, particularly in the north and east.
- Reservations on the constitutional declaration:
Ahmad criticized the hasty announcement of the constitutional declaration following the agreement. She emphasized that it lacked inclusivity and did not reflect the aspirations of the broader Syrian population. Despite these reservations, the AANES continues to engage in dialogue to resolve contentious points.
- Legacy of diversity and governance:
Ahmad highlighted the AANES’s and the SDF’s accumulated experience in inclusive governance, emphasizing their commitment to human rights and diversity. She asserted their role as guarantors of a just and democratic transition for Syria.
- Fundamental rights are non-negotiable:
The AANES official firmly stated that cultural and national rights, religious freedoms, mother tongue education, decentralized administration, and internal security must be safeguarded. These are red lines for any negotiations.
- Concerns over exclusion and representation:
The initial steps taken by the new government in Damascus were deemed exclusionary, particularly towards women and certain communities. Ahmad stressed that the AANES holds no responsibility for past governmental failures and emphasized the importance of implementing the agreement transparently.
- Local governance and services:
Addressing stalled services such as civil registry offices and Qamishli airport, Ilham Ahmad noted these institutions had been abandoned after the fall of the previous regime, and the new government has shown little initiative in reactivating them. These issues are now part of the negotiation track.
- Right of return for the displaced:
Ahmad stressed the importance of a safe and voluntary return of the displaced from Afrin, Serekaniye (Ras al-Ain), and Tel Abyad. Collective returns are prioritized, alongside guarantees against violations and arrest. The AANES is in contact with international organizations and insists on returning confiscated properties to rightful owners.
- External influences and de-escalation:
U.S. mediation efforts have led to a notable reduction in hostilities between the SDF and Turkey. Ahmad underlined the AANES’s aim to maintain peaceful relations with neighboring countries while resisting international deals that come at the expense of the Syrian people.
- Demands for security reform:
Ilham Ahmad called for the replacement of armed factions with local police at security checkpoints, holding the Damascus government accountable for violations in areas under its control, and placing responsibility on Turkey for abuses committed by affiliated groups in occupied zones.
