A British delegation arrived in Qamishli (Qamişlo), North and East Syria, on 24 February for a three-day visit to assess the region’s conditions, challenges, and threats. The delegation aimed to understand the demands of Kurdish leaders and local representatives following recent political changes and to convey their findings to the British government.
Meetings were held on Monday at the People’s Municipality and the External Relations Office of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES). On Tuesday, delegates visited the city’s airport, which has recently been brought back under AANES control.
The delegation included Martin Round, Mayor of the Borough of Maidstone; Karen Constantine, Councillor and Deputy Leader of the Labour Group in Kent County Council; Sir Roger Lyons, former President of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and Jason Kaplan, Director of Mid Kent Aviation.
“This visit aims to build a supportive and positive stance towards the region in particular and Syria in general from our government,” they said. “We want to hear directly from them about what they expect from Britain to help fulfil their aspirations in Syria. Our mission here is to listen to these demands and ensure their messages reach the British government.”
The British delegation’s visit comes as Syria enters a new era following the fall of the Assad regime last year, with Turkish-backed forces bombarding the north in an attempt to exploit a perceived power vacuum. Meanwhile, the AANES is working with the new Damascus government to safeguard its democratic achievements, and allied Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) continue their resistance against attacks.
Delegates discussed the region’s well-known inclusivity with AANES-led Qamishli Municipality Co-Chairs Berivan Omar and Estevo Masoud, who shared their experiences of ethnic and religious communities coexisting in the area. They also highlighted the relentless Turkish military attacks, which they described as a “constant threat”.
Members of the delegation expressed support for the AANES, acknowledging its efforts in reconstruction despite Turkish attempts to obstruct progress. Sir Roger Lyons pledged continued support for the people of North and East Syria, in line with the region’s evolving needs.
The delegation later visited the AANES Foreign Relations Department, where they were received by co-chairs Ilham Ahmed and Fanar Khait. “Peace here is very important for us, and we want to support it as much as possible,” Constantine said during the meeting, with other delegation members also expressing their commitment to supporting the region.
