DAARNES delegation holds meetings in France; criticizes composition of Syrian Preparatory Committee and Turkey’s ongoing military attacks

PARIS — The delegation of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of Region of North and East Syria (DAARNES), currently touring various European capitals, held talks with Parti socialiste senators and political representatives from various political parties in the French capital. 

The delegation – consisting of Co-Chair of the DAARNES Foreign Relations Department Ilham Ahmed, DAARNES representative in Europe Abdul Karim Omar, its representative in France Karim Qamar, and the representative of the Syriac Union Party’s Relations Committee in Syria Nazira Goreya – met with members of the French National Assembly, senators, and various party members, including Parti Socialiste senators Rémy Feraud and Hélène Conway-Mouret, as well as representatives from La France Insoumise, the Green Alliance and the Communist Party. 

The meeting focused on the dynamics of the current political situation in Syria, with the composition of the Syrian National Conference Preparatory Committee being a large part of the discussion. The delegation of the Autonomous Region rejected outright the way the Preparatory Committee was formed. Syriac Union Party’s Goreya stated that the Committee is not representative and that it follows the same approach of the former Syrian regime in imposing political will, without involving genuine societal components. Goreya gave the example of the only Christian representative Hind Aboud Kabawat (Greek Catholic-Rûm) in the seven-member Prepatory Committee, as if appointing one Christian woman of represents all Christians of Syria. 

The DAARNES delegation stressed that the Committee should be elected by Syrians, instead of appointees representing the authority rather than real communities. The delegates argued that the current mechanism pushes the country toward an authoritarian system instead of establishing a real democratic solution. 

The delegation further demanded the political institutions of North and East Syria to be an integral part of a democratic and decentralized Syria, stressing the importance of preserving the Syrian Democratic Forces during the transitional phase amid increasing activities of the Islamic State and its sleeper cells in various parts of Syria. 

The meeting also addressed the negative Turkish role in northern Syria. Ilham Ahmed highlighted the continuous Turkish attacks on areas under DAARNES control. However, the real aim of Turkey’s aggressive interferences is to destroy the Syrian Democratic Forces and undermine the DAARNES project, which represents the will of the Region’s people, stated Ahmed.