The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) has stated that peace in Syria is unattainable without Turkey withdrawing its forces from Syrian territories. In a written statement on 21 September, marking World Peace Day, the SDC stressed that genuine peace requires a political solution respecting the rights of all Syrians.
The SDC’s statement outlined that peace cannot simply be achieved by ending conflict. Instead, it must be built on democracy, diversity, and social justice, with the active participation of all Syrians. “Real and lasting peace is only possible when political solutions are based on respect for the rights of all Syrians,” the statement read.
The council further argued that trust and mutual understanding are essential for peace, adding that positive initiatives, rather than military intervention, are crucial. It called on the international community to strengthen efforts towards a political resolution and to support dialogue and mediation mechanisms for resolving conflicts peacefully.
The SDC emphasised that Turkey’s ongoing military presence in Syria undermines peace efforts, asserting, “Real peace will only be achieved when Turkey ends its occupation and local interventions are halted.”
The SDC emerged during the Syrian Civil War, which began in 2011. It is closely linked to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a military alliance that has been a key player in the fight against ISIS in Syria. With support from the US-led coalition, the SDF successfully led efforts to liberate large parts of Kurdish-majority northeastern Syria from ISIS control.
The SDC represents the political side of the SDF and aims to establish a federal and democratic system in Syria that upholds rights for all ethnic and religious groups. Its formation is rooted in the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, which seeks a decentralised political future in the aftermath of both the Syrian Civil War and the struggle against ISIS. The SDC has advocated for a political resolution to the conflict and called for international support to end external military interventions, including Turkey’s operations in Syria.
