Mazloum Abdi Calls for Decentralized Syria, Urges Turkey and Damascus to See SDF as Stabilizing Force

Peregraf- Mazloum Abdi, the General Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), said on Tuesday that Syria’s future must be decentralized and inclusive, stressing that the time has come for dialogue after 15 years of conflict. He added that "we want the Turkish state and Syria not to view our institutions as a threat, but rather as a source of stability." His remarks were delivered during the Middle East Peace and Security (MEPS) Forum in Duhok.

Abdi said Syria "will no longer return to being a centralized state," adding that the Kurds and the SDF in Rojava "possess their own will and are ready for peace." He emphasized that the rights of all communities—not only Kurds—must be guaranteed in any new political system.

He criticized the Assad regime for insisting on "centralization and war," which he said sparked the Syrian uprising. Abdi noted that when regime forces withdrew from parts of the north, the SDF—alongside U.S. and French partners—opened channels for dialogue with Damascus. He described the March 10 agreement, reached with Ahmed Shara, as an important step that prevented further chaos and helped avoid the fragmentation of Syria. However, he said none of its clauses have been implemented, including the return of displaced families and the lifting of the siege on Kurdish neighborhoods in Aleppo.

"If there is strong political will, the agreement can be implemented," he said, expressing hope for progress before the end of 2025.

Abdi also stressed that peace and stability are vital for the Middle East and said Kurdish forces are committed to contributing to both. He praised the support provided by the Kurdistan Region over the past 15 years and highlighted the role of Kurdish figures—particularly Masoud Barzani—in promoting unity in Rojava. He said Kurds in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Turkey, and the diaspora could all play a role in reconstruction efforts.

Addressing relations with Turkey, Abdi said it is essential that Ankara does not view the SDF as a threat. "We will not be a threat to Turkey," he said, calling for a shift in the current approach.

Abdi concluded by noting that a "new opportunity and a historic phase" have emerged in the Middle East, and the international community is ready to support meaningful change in Syria.