'Above All We Will Not Forget President Barzani's Efforts in the Unity Conference,' Mazloum Abdi

By Kamaran Aziz

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Mazloum Abdi, Commander-General of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), opened the Unity and Solidarity Conference of Western Kurdistan's political parties in Qamishlo on Saturday with a powerful declaration that the gathering was not a spontaneous event, but the culmination of extensive efforts and discussions among Kurdish political parties.

Abdi highlighted the crucial role played by Kurdish leaders across the region, saying, "Above all, we will not forget President Barzani's efforts and hard work, and we thank him."

He also praised the efforts of other Kurdish political actors, stating, "The KCK co-presidency, along with Mr. Nechirvan Barzani and Mr. Bafel Talabani, each played a role, and we thank them."

Reflecting on the 14 years of relentless conflict in Syria, Abdi emphasized the heavy sacrifices made by the Kurdish people in defending their region. "In this war, approximately 13,000 of our sons and daughters were martyred, and about three thousand more were wounded. We wish healing for the wounded, bow our heads in respect and appreciation for the pure souls of our heroic martyrs, and dedicate this conference as a gift to our martyrs," he said.

Rejecting any notion that the conference aimed to partition Syria, Abdi firmly declared, "The aim of the Kurdish Unity Conference is not to divide Syria, but to unite it. Kurdish unity is Syrian unity, and Kurdish strength is Syrian strength."

He called for a new Syrian constitution that would embrace decentralization and enshrine the rights of all nations and communities. "In the new Syria, a constitution should be established that protects the rights of all nations and components. For more than 12 years, Kurds, Arabs, Assyrians, Armenians, and others have lived peacefully together in northeastern Syria, fought terrorism together, and rewritten history together. One of our priorities is to protect these achievements," he said.

Abdi pointed to the historical marginalization and oppression of Kurds under previous Syrian regimes. Yet he emphasized that Kurds have consistently defended Syria’s territorial integrity, and now, he argued, they must have their national rights guaranteed and enshrined in Syria’s future constitution. "Throughout history, the Kurdish people in Syria have been neglected, oppressed, and attempts have been made to eliminate them. They have always been outside the administration and politics of Syria. In the new Syria, the rights of the Kurdish people must be secured and written into the constitution; this is our main goal."

A key outcome expected from the conference is the formation of a joint Kurdish delegation to negotiate with Damascus. According to Abdi, "Kurdish political parties are negotiating together to prepare a draft and form a joint delegation to negotiate with Damascus, to secure Kurdish rights in the new Syria."

In a significant move towards political consolidation and a reimagined future for Syria, the conference has gathered more than 400 participants, marking an unprecedented effort by Kurdish parties to unify their position within Syria and assert their critical role in shaping the country’s future. The Kurdish National Council in Syria (ENKS) and the Democratic Union Party (PYD), two major Kurdish political forces, are leading the conference, each represented by 130 members. Guests from all four parts of Kurdistan have also joined the gathering, underscoring the broader Kurdish solidarity that transcends national borders.

The Unity and Solidarity Conference in Qamishlo stands as a powerful testament to the determination of Western Kurdistan's Kurds to not only seek their rightful place in Syria’s political landscape but to champion a vision of a democratic, decentralized, and inclusive Syrian state for all its diverse peoples.