The long-awaited Conference on ‘Unified Stance of North-East Syria’s Components’ kicked off in the city of Hesekê in the Cizirê Canton.
Held under the slogan “Together for diversity that strengthens our unity, and cooperation that builds our future,” the conference brings together around 500 participants representing the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, as well as political, military, and security institutions, political parties, women’s organizations and representatives of the region’s various components, including Arab and Kurdish tribal sheikhs, Syriac-Assyrian-Chaldean, Armenian, Turkmen, and Circassian representatives.
Among the attendees are representatives of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES), the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC/MSD), political parties, women’s organizations, Bishop of Cizire and the Euphrates Mar Maurice Amsih, the Syriac Union, the Democratic Society Movement (TEV-DEM), the Kurdish National Council (ENKS), and Sheikh Murshid al-Khaznawi.
Also present are the Co-Chairs of the Executive Council of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, Evin Swed and Hisên Osman, along with the Co-Chair of the Syrian Democratic Council, Leyla Qereman.
Ilham Ehmed: Pluralism is not a threat but a source of strength
Delivering the opening speech, Îlham Ehmed, Co-Chair of Foreign Relations of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, stated that the conference was being held at a critical time for Syria and that it was an expression of “joint resistance against war and the will to build a democratic model.”
Emphasizing that all components in the region have demonstrated that pluralism is not a threat but a source of strength, İlham Ehmed stated that lasting peace and justice can be achieved through a common will.
“True cooperation, mutual recognition, fair representation, true citizenship, pluralism, decentralization, and democracy are the guarantees of the country’s unity and stability,” Ehmed said.
Hisên Osman: Autonomous Administration model protects the gains of the people
Speaking after, Hisên Osman, Co-Chair of the Executive Council of DAANES, stated that the conference is of historic importance, saying, “This process carries signs of hope for a future worthy of our people’s sacrifices.”
Hisên Osman emphasized that the Autonomous Administration model has been transformed into a framework that reflects the vision of the people of the region and protects their gains.
Leyla Qereman: Women must have a place in building the future Syria
Leyla Qereman, Co-Chair of the Syrian Democratic Council (MSD), said that women must be at the center of the new vision for Syria, stating, “We cannot talk about a new Syria without women at the forefront. Women must have a place in building the future Syria and a just society.”
Leyla Qereman called for national unity, stating that a future can be built not through war and revenge, but through justice, participation, and equality.
Emîne Omer: Syria should not be centralized
Speaking on behalf of the North and East Syria Women’s Council, Emîne Omer pointed out that Syrian women are being excluded from the political process, saying, “All gains made are for all Syrian women. Syria should not be centralized, and women must participate in the political process.”
Messages from Alawite and Druze sheiks
Sheikh Xezal Xezal, President of the Religious Council at the Supreme Alawite Islamic Council in Syria and the Diaspora, and Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajri, Spiritual Leader of the Druze community in Syria, sent video messages expressing their support for the conference’s goals and the importance of uniting ranks to face challenges.
Sheikh Xezal Xezal: We must work together to reach the path of freedom and justice
In his message, Sheikh Xezal Xezal said the following: “We highly appreciate the convening of this conference, and every conference whose goal is to unite the Syrian people and unify their word for the good of Syria. We need to unify our ranks to confront the injustice and division that have harmed all Syria’s communities.
The extremist ideology has turned Syrians against each other; honor was violated and sanctities were taken away. We witnessed painful events from the coast, which continue to this day, including the bombing of St. Elias Church, what is happening in Sweida, and we do not forget what the Kurds have been subjected to. The blood is one, and the perpetrator is one. It was a harsh lesson that innocent people paid for.
Given the current state, there is no path to a safe future except through a political solution that guarantees the rights of all components without exclusion. We believe the right path lies in achieving decentralization or federalism that respects religious and cultural particularities and preserves the status of each component.
We want a secular state that separates religion from politics. We extend our hands to each other to stop the bleeding and wars. We must hasten, bear responsibility, and work together to reach the path of freedom and justice. This is the path that will build a Syria worthy of its people and preserve the rights of all Syrians.”
Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajri: Diversity is not a threat but a treasure
Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajri said the following in his video message: “Brothers and sisters, at a time when challenges multiply, we meet today under the lights of this gathering to affirm that the unified stance of the components of North and East Syria is a response to the cries of a people exhausted by war.”
We stand with our brothers and sisters from all components of Syria and affirm that diversity is not a threat but a treasure that strengthens our unity and a partnership that builds our future. Let this conference be the beginning of a new path that consolidates human freedom in a homeland measured not by sect but by humanity.”
Source: ANF News
