A conference in Qamishli (Qamişlo), North and East Syria, on Saturday has paved the way for a Kurdish National Congress, aimed at strengthening Kurdish unity and securing political rights. The Rojava Kurdish Unity and Common Stance Conference, attended by 400 delegates from Syria, Iraq, and Turkey, approved a joint political document outlining a vision for a decentralised, democratic Syria that addresses the Kurdish question.
The conference, held in the city’s Azadî (Freedom) Park, marked a significant step towards a long-discussed Kurdish National Congress, which delegates see as essential for consolidating Kurdish efforts across borders. The approved document, the Common Political Stance, emphasises Kurdish unity and a comprehensive political solution within a pluralistic Syrian framework, rejecting centralised governance. It was unanimously endorsed by delegates, who also agreed to form a joint delegation to negotiate with Syria’s interim government.
Saliha Aydeniz, a delegate from Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, described the conference as a historic milestone, stating, “This is the first step towards a Kurdish National Congress, which will drive Syria’s democratisation and Kurdish unity.” She linked the event to Abdullah Öcalan’s 27 February call for peace and democratic society, underscoring the need for Kurds to unite to counter marginalising policies, particularly in Turkey.
Anas Jodeh, lawyer and head of Syria’s Nation Building Movement, praised the conference’s resolutions as a blueprint for a decentralised Syria. Speaking to North Press on Monday, he said, “This document could be the foundation for a national programme for all of Syria.” Jodeh noted that the Kurdish vision now encompasses broader Syrian concerns, including justice for displacement and cultural rights, though some points require further dialogue.
Jodeh stressed that decentralisation, whether federal or otherwise, must apply across Syria to empower local communities. He cited local security models, like those in Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh neighbourhoods, as examples of effective decentralised governance. “Justice comes first, then decentralisation,” he added, underscoring the document’s focus on addressing grievances shared by all Syrians.
Evîn Siwêd, co-chair of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) Executive Council, highlighted the conference’s role in building momentum, saying, “This conference strengthens Kurdish unity, vital for protecting our gains as Syria’s future is shaped.” She noted that years of preparation and the Rojava Revolution’s achievements underpin the push for a unified Kurdish voice in negotiations with Damascus.
The conference follows the fall of Syria’s Baath regime on 8 December, creating a critical juncture for Kurds. The new government, led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist group, has excluded the AANES—a Kurdish-led, multi-ethnic governance system established in 2012—from national dialogue. Delegates view the National Congress as a platform to secure constitutional guarantees for Kurdish rights and multi-ethnic coexistence.
Fesla Yusuf, a member of the Syrian Kurdish National Council (ENKS) Presidency Board, expressed optimism, stating, “This conference is a celebration for Syria’s Kurds, and we are ready to do our part to protect our people’s interests.” She acknowledged support from the United States and France, as well as key figures like Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Commander Mazloum Abdi and northern Iraq’s Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani.
Sheikh Sînan Ahmed Seydî, a Qamishli-based religious scholar, called the conference a fulfilment of ancestral dreams, adding, “This unity will endure, proving our sacrifices were not in vain.” The event honoured over 13,000 fighters lost in the Syrian civil war, invoking the legacy of the Kobani (Kobanê) Resistance.
The push for a National Congress builds on recent efforts to bridge intra-Kurdish divides, particularly between the Democratic Union Party (PYD), which leads the AANES, and the ENKS. US-mediated talks, including meetings between Abdi and Barzani, have fostered cooperation, setting the stage for a unified Kurdish stance in Syria’s volatile transition.
