Peter Galbraith and Ilham Ahmed call for inclusivity and decentralization in Syria’s governance

DARAMSUQ, Syria — Former U.S. Ambassador to Croatia Peter Galbraith and Democratic Autonomous Administration (DAARNES) Official Ilham Ahmed have called for inclusivity and decentralization in Syria’s governance during the 9th Sulaymaniyah Forum, held at the American University of Sulaymaniyah. 

Speaking on the second day of the forum, which brought together local and international figures, Galbraith stressed the importance of involving all ethnic components in Syria’s government. “If Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa wants to establish an inclusive government, he must involve people from other ethnic components,” Galbraith stated. He warned against the dangers of a single ideology dominating Syria, particularly one emerging from Edleb (Idlib) and led by former members of ISIS and Al-Qaeda. “Such a scenario would not serve the interests of the Syrian people or the world,” he added. 

Addressing the possibility of a U.S. military withdrawal from Syria, Galbraith expressed uncertainty. “I don’t know if the U.S. will pull out; they have an administration that seems highly unpredictable. It’s hard to believe Donald Trump would willingly leave Syria to a group that has recent ties to ISIS and Al-Qaeda,” he remarked. 

Meanwhile, Ilham Ahmed, Co-Chair of the Foreign Relations Department of the DAARNES, highlighted the need for decentralization to resolve Syria’s ongoing crisis. “Syria’s future cannot be built on the old centralized system,” Ahmed stated. She emphasized that all parties must be involved in drafting a new constitution to ensure a democratic Syria. 

Ahmed’s comments, made during her participation in the forum, reflect DAARNES’ vision for a pluralistic and decentralized governance model. The Sulaymaniyah Forum continues to serve as a platform for discussing Syria’s future amid its complex political landscape.