The Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria has rejected the constitutional declaration unveiled by the newly established Islamist government in Damascus, calling for a comprehensive revision.
The declaration, issued on Thursday, is designed to serve as the foundation for a five-year transitional period under President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a Sunni Islamist who assumed power after overthrowing Bashar al-Assad in December following 14 years of civil war.
While the framework upholds the primacy of Islamic law and ensures freedom of expression, the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC)—the political wing of the Kurdish-led forces—criticized it for failing to adequately safeguard the rights of Syria’s diverse ethnic and religious communities.
Meanwhile, in Geneva, the United Nations’ special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, urged the new government in Damascus to foster an inclusive transitional administration and investigate recent sectarian violence that has claimed hundreds of lives.
Kurds and Their Struggle for Autonomy
Throughout the Syrian conflict, Kurdish authorities in the northeast have operated an autonomous system, seeking to preserve their cultural and political rights after decades of marginalization under the Assad regime. However, there are growing concerns that the new leadership in Damascus may attempt to roll back these hard-fought rights, including Kurdish-language education and women’s participation in governance.
In a statement issued Friday, the SDC firmly rejected Sharaa’s constitutional declaration, describing it as a rebranded form of authoritarianism that grants the executive unchecked powers.
“The constitution must be based on genuine national consensus, not dictated by a single faction,” the statement read, emphasizing the need for decentralized governance to ensure equitable power distribution.
Despite their objections, the SDC recently signed an agreement with Damascus, committing to integrate key border crossings, oil fields, and an airport under government control. The implementation of this deal is expected by the end of the year, although details remain unclear regarding the incorporation of Kurdish military forces into Syria’s defense structure.
International Concerns and Calls for Accountability
UN envoy Pedersen expressed hope that Sharaa’s constitutional framework would guide Syria toward restoring the rule of law and achieving a structured transition. However, the government is facing criticism over recent sectarian violence in coastal regions, reportedly perpetrated by forces aligned with the new administration.
Calling for an independent inquiry into these violent incidents, Pedersen warned that the prevailing atmosphere of fear and distrust could jeopardize the entire transition process.
“As Syria stands at this crucial juncture, ensuring accountability and inclusivity in governance is imperative to achieving lasting stability,” he stated.