Assyrian Democratic Organization: restoration of diplomatic ties between Turkey and Syria will not bring any solution. Ending the crisis in Syria only possible through implementation of UNSCR 2254

BETH ZALIN (QAMISHLI), North and East Syria – The Assyrian Democratic Organization (ADO), through its foreign affairs spokesman Gabriel Mushe, stated on Saturday that there is no solution to the Syrian crisis other than in U.N. Security Council Resolution 2254. Mushe’s statement comes against the backdrop of talks in Moscow last week between the defense ministers and security chiefs of Turkey, Syria, and Russia. The restoration of ties between Turkey and Syria must be seen within the countries’ ill management of the war and them repositioning themselves, and not within a framework to find a true and widely supported solution to the Syrian crisis, said the ADO spokesman according to Syriac satellite channel Suroyo TV, an affiliate of SyriacPress.

Mushe stated in his press statement that the rapprochement is mainly a Turkish driven affair and stems from domestic issues such as the upcoming elections in 2023, the refugee crisis, and its long conflict with the Kurdish PKK. These issues do not have an easy solution. According to Gabriel Mushe, the Syrian regime has the weakest negotiating position on a path that cannot be successful. Earlier attempts by Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, among others, who in the past 2 years also tried to strengthen ties with the regime in Daramsuq (Damascus), proved fruitless.

Mushe stressed that he sees no solution to the Syrian crisis other than in the implementation of UNSCR 2254. Such an implementation calls for a unity that is now hard to find. Unfortunately, the chance of getting there is very far away at the moment.

UNSCR 2254 was passed on December 18, 2015, and references a series of UN resolutions and correspondence on the Syrian issue, including the need to stop fighting, launch an effective ceasefire monitoring mechanism, protect civilians, find the most efficient means to provide humanitarian assistance in all of Syria, hold human rights violators accountable on all sides, and release detainees. Resolution 2254 also requires the UN to bring the parties of the Syrian Civil War together to enter into formal negotiations and hold elections.

ADO sat on the 150-member committee that negotiated a new constitution for Syria. The delayed and failed negotiations took place in Geneva under the leadership of the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen.

The Assyrian Democratic Organization is affiliated with the opposition Syrian National Coalition and not a party to the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria.