Syrian Kurds declare new federal region
Damascus rejects announcement, triggering fears concerns of partition
BEIRUT— The main Syrian Kurdish group declared a federal region in Kurdish-controlled areas in northern Syria on Thursday, a move that was immediately rejected by both the government in Damascus and the opposition. The announcement came as Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that despite the Russian forces drawdown, Moscow can again build up its forces in Syria “in a few hours” if necessary, and will continue striking extremist groups.
The nature and the timing of the move, which came as UN-brokered talks on resolving the Syrian conflict are underway this week in Geneva, might make it seem like a way forward after five years of civil war, but they have also triggered fears a federal unit would lead to a partition of the country.
Nawaf Khalil, an official with the Democratic Union Party, or PYD, told the Associated Press that the announcement was made at a Kurdish conference being held in the town of Rmeilan in the northeastern province of Hassakeh.
Syria’s Foreign Ministry rejected the move, describing it as “unconstitutional and worthless” and warned against any attempt to encroach upon the integrity of Syrian territory.
The Syrian National Coalition, one of the main Syrian opposition groups, also said it rejects such unilateral declarations and warned of any attempt to form autonomous regions that “confiscate the will of the Syrian people.”
Khalil said participants in the Rmeilan meeting have approved a “democratic federal system for Rojava-Northern Syria.” Rojava is a Kurdish word that refers to three distinct enclaves, or cantons, under Kurdish control in northern Syria: Jazira, Kobani and Afrin.
Khalil said participants, who include Turkomans, Arabs, Christian and Kurds in northern Syria, said after they approved the draft that they are now preparing a final statement that will be read later Thursday.
“Federal and Democratic Syria is a guarantee of coexistence and brotherly relations between people,” read a banner posted online from inside the room of the Rmeilan conference.
Salih Muslim, the co-president of the PYD, said by telephone that those meeting “are setting up the basis on how constituencies will deal with each other.”
In Russia, Putin, who ordered a partial withdrawal of Russian warplanes from Syria earlier this week, said that Russia has kept some forces in Syria to support the Syrian army’s action against Daesh, the Nusra Front, which is Al Qaeda’s branch in Syria, and other extremist groups.
He emphasized that the Russian military will be ready to use an array of air-defence missile systems it has in Syria “against any targets that would threaten our servicemen.”
Putin’s statement underlined Russia’s intention to maintain a strong military presence in Syria to keep its gains after a five-and-a-half-month air campaign that has helped turn the tide of war and allowed Syrian President Bashar Assad’s forces to make significant advances.
Putin said Assad had been informed in advance about the Russian pullout and supported the decision.