In Brussels, the Syrian Democratic Track coalition called for a UN-backed transition supporting Syria’s territorial integrity through decentralisation, inclusive governance, and Kurdish autonomy, aiming to strengthen national unity amid Assad’s rapprochement efforts with Turkey against Kurdish self-rule.
The two-day conference, attended by 128 delegates, focused on safeguarding Syria’s sovereignty and bridging ethnic and sectarian divides, particularly among Kurds, Arabs, and other groups. Central to their agenda was the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2254, which calls for a political solution that includes all ethnic and sectarian communities.
Delegates emphasised the necessity of integrating the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), formed during the civil war, into a decentralised Syrian state that respects minority rights under international law. Self-administration has raised questions about coexistence within a unified Syria. Conference representatives asserted that Kurdish autonomy could be embedded within Syria’s sovereignty by adhering to decentralisation and inclusive dialogue. The final statement, the ‘Brussels Declaration’, stressed that decentralisation is essential for preventing a return to authoritarianism under Assad and securing rights for all minorities.
The conference also took place amid tentative discussions between Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who oppose Kurdish self-rule. Erdoğan views a Kurdish-controlled northern Syria as a threat to Turkey’s sovereignty, while Assad has yet to propose an alternative beyond dismantling the Kurdish administration. Despite these challenges, the Track remains committed to a decentralised system that limits foreign influence, especially by Turkey, whose support of jihadist groups in northern Syria has stymied progress in Syrian-Turkish talks.
Resolution 2254 was repeatedly cited as a framework for Syria’s political future, although its implementation has been stalled by regional rivalries. European leaders attending the conference echoed the coalition’s call for the UN to advance this roadmap. Delegates underlined the need for a “new social contract” that would guarantee the rights of marginalised communities, establishing a secular governance model to maintain state neutrality in religious matters. They argued this secular approach would help bridge sectarian divides and strengthen national unity.
The Syrian Democratic Track concluded by calling for an inclusive national conference to unite democratic and progressive forces in Syria under a shared vision. This unity conference, outlined in the Brussels Declaration, would rely on international and regional partners to align diverse Syrian interests under a democratic roadmap. The coalition believes this unity is crucial to stabilising Syria’s fragmented political landscape, which remains divided by both the Assad regime’s influence and foreign interventions.
As the Syrian conflict approaches its 14th year, the Syrian Democratic Track and Kurdish-led administration are urging international actors, particularly the UN and EU, to help turn these proposals into policies that could lead to a stable and democratic Syria. The coalition’s calls come amid heightened international focus on Syria, as European and UN officials express renewed commitment to Resolution 2254 and a Syrian-led political solution.
