The Kurdish-led Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) has refuted claims that it is prepared to receive Syrian refugees accused of crimes or suspected of wrongdoing. In a statement on Sunday, the administration clarified that Ilham Ahmed’s recent comments regarding Syrian refugees were taken out of context, sparking unnecessary public debate.
Ilham Ahmed, co-chair of the AANES Foreign Relations Department, was quoted in an interview on Germany’s ntv discussing the challenges facing Syrian refugees. The administration stressed that Ahmed’s remarks were specifically about facilitating the voluntary return of refugees fleeing from Lebanon to North and East Syria (Rojava) under safe and appropriate conditions. “Our stance has been misrepresented. We are not unconditionally ready to accept Syrians suspected of criminal activities,” the statement read.
The administration reiterated its commitment to addressing the Syrian refugee crisis through international cooperation. Ahmed’s comments were made within the broader context of supporting the voluntary return of refugees in partnership with the United Nations and relevant international bodies. The administration stressed that a political solution to the Syrian crisis is essential for creating a lasting framework to address the refugee issue, adding that their humanitarian responsibilities remain a priority.
The administration also highlighted the need for international support to establish safe environments for refugees returning to their homeland, stressing the importance of adhering to international agreements on refugee rights, including the 1951 Refugee Convention.
