KNCS Objects to Kurdish Exclusion from National Dialogue
The Preparatory Committee announced that groups that have not surrendered their weapons to the Syrian Ministry of Defense will not be invited to the conference, effectively barring the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) from participation
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Kurdish National Council in Syria (KNCS) has expressed strong disapproval over the formation of the Preparatory Committee for the National Dialogue Conference, which was announced on Feb. 11, 2025.
The council stressed that the committee should have been inclusive and representative of Syria’s diverse political and ethnic spectrum to ensure a genuine national dialogue capable of addressing the country’s challenges.
Concerns Over Kurdish Representation and National Partnership
In an official statement issued on Thursday, the KNCS General Secretariat criticized the exclusion of Kurdish representation from the committee, describing it as a violation of the principles of national partnership.
The council warned that such exclusion raises legitimate concerns about how different Syrian communities are being engaged in shaping the country’s future.
“The success of any meaningful dialogue process depends on ensuring fair representation for all national components. The Preparatory Committee should have reflected Syria’s political and ethnic plurality,” the statement read.
The exclusion of Kurdish representatives comes amid controversy over the selection criteria. On Wednesday, the Preparatory Committee announced that groups that have not surrendered their weapons to the Syrian Ministry of Defense will not be invited to the conference, effectively barring the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) from participation.
Salih Muslim, a senior member of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) Council Presidency, said: “If the SDF is not represented in the Syrian Dialogue Conference, we will not abide by its decisions.”
During a press conference in Damascus following the official launch of the committee’s work. Hassan Al-Daghim, head of the committee said, "Those who have not handed over their arms will certainly not be invited to the conference.”
Call for Fair Participation and Reassessment
The KNCS called on the relevant authorities to reconsider the committee’s composition and ensure that the Kurdish people, along with all other marginalized groups, are granted fair and active participation in the dialogue process.
The council emphasized that an inclusive and balanced national dialogue is essential to establishing a sustainable political framework based on genuine partnership.
The controversy surrounding the Preparatory Committee’s formation comes amid previous assurances by committee spokesperson Hassan Al-Daghim, who had stated that the revolution’s principles reject sectarian quotas and that diversity would be respected.
He claimed that the conference would serve as a mirror reflecting Syria’s multiethnic and multireligious society, ensuring representation for all communities.
However, the reality of the committee’s structure contradicts these statements, reinforcing skepticism about the credibility of the process and the true intent behind its formation.
The exclusion of key political and ethnic groups, including Kurds, has sparked widespread concerns about the transparency and fairness of Syria’s political transition efforts.