ENKS has federalism on agenda in Geneva

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The Kurdish National Council in Syria (ENKS) confirmed on Sunday it has been invited to the upcoming round of the Syrian peace talks in Geneva with new demands on their agenda.

In an exclusive interview with Kurdistan24, Ibrahim Biro, head of ENKS, said, “We have been invited to the peace talks in Geneva, but are not satisfied with appearing under the name of the Syrian Coalition, namely as a part of the opposition delegation.”

“Syrian Kurds should have their delegation independent from both the government and the opposition,” Biro added.

Regarding the demand of federalism for Syria, Biro pointed out that Syrian Kurds have sought federalism since the first round of peace talks a few years ago. However, he explained that the request was misunderstood by both the regime and opposition as they considered it a cause for dividing the country.

“Federalism is a solution that saves Syria from division, and makes it stronger,” Biro stated, noting that both the opposition and regime should resort to federalism; otherwise that option will be impossible if things get worse later.

Additionally, the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD), which has not yet been invited to the talks, made clear that it was open to the idea of federalism.

"We have said over and over again that we want a decentralized Syria. Call it administrations or call it federalism, everything is possible," PYD's co-leader Saleh Muslim told Reuters on Tuesday.

However, Syrian opposition coordinator Riad Hijab told Reuters on Thursday, "Any mention of this federalism or something which might present a direction for dividing Syria is not acceptable at all.”

“We have agreed we will expand non-central government in a future Syria, but not federalism or division," said Hijab.

The resumption of Geneva peace talks coincides with the fifth anniversary of a conflict that began with protests against President Bashar al-Assad in 2011. After that, it descended into a multi-sided civil war that has drawn in foreign governments and has allowed the invasion of the Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq.

Reporting by Hisham Arafat
Editing by Karzan Sulaivany and Ava Homa