Kurdish, international voices back federalism as path to peace in Syria

SULAYMANIYAH — Kurdish leaders from Syria and Iraq, along with international diplomats, voiced strong support for federalism and decentralization as a solution to Syria’s ongoing conflict during a high-profile panel at the ninth Sulaimani Forum, hosted by the American University of Iraq–Sulaimani.

The session examined the evolving political dynamics in northeast Syria and the potential role of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq in shaping a more inclusive post-conflict Syrian state.

Ilham Ahmed, co-chair of the Department of Foreign Relations for the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, said the recent agreement between Syrian Democratic Forces commander Mazloum Abdi and Syrian opposition leader Ahmed al-Sharaa marked a turning point for the Kurdish political movement.

“This is a historic agreement,” she said. “It ended all the accusations against us — that we were separatists, that we wanted to divide Syria. From now on, we are recognized as real partners in rebuilding Syria.”

Ahmed said implementation has already begun. “We’ve reached a stage where dialogue committees are being formed to discuss how to carry out the terms of the agreement. We’ve already seen understandings on Sheikh Maqsoud, on Tishrin Dam [in Aleppo]— issues that were previously stuck. Now, there’s movement.”

She said federalism reflects Syria’s complex demographics and is not a uniquely Kurdish demand.

“Syria is a pluralistic, multi-ethnic country,” she said. “Christians, Druze, Alawites, secular Sunnis — they all reject centralism. One person or one authority cannot define the future of all Syrians. The current political landscape requires decentralization.”

Ahmed warned that rejecting this model could lead to renewed conflict.

“Syrians have already suffered from war and displacement,” she said. “If the new leadership doesn’t approach this with care, and ignores these sensitivities, we could see renewed violence. Centralization will not bring peace.”

She added that the concept of decentralization has roots in Syrian history. “This is not the first time Syrians have called for decentralization. Even in the 1950s, before independence, people wanted a decentralized state. During the French mandate, Syria was composed of smaller autonomous regions. So we’re not inventing anything new — we’re building on Syria’s own past.”

Rejecting claims that federalism threatens national unity, Ahmed said, “We want to be part of Syria. But we must be equal partners. We want to participate in shaping the new Syria. We do not want new wars. We want to protect what exists today and push for greater inclusion.”

Former Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari called the Abdi-Sharaa agreement “a very important step” toward political inclusion for Syrian Kurds.

“For the first time, the new Syrian authorities have used the word ‘recognition’ when speaking about the Kurds. That alone is a historic development,” he said.

Zebari said the Kurdistan Region stands ready to support Syria’s Kurds. “We can support our brothers and sisters in many ways, through our own recent experience of political transition,” he said. “The key lesson is unity. That’s how we succeeded — by going to Baghdad as one team, with Masoud Barzani and Jalal Talabani working together.”

He cautioned that Syria will need to find its own model. “It took us from the monarchy to republican rule, to Baathist repression, and eventually to a federal constitution. We worked with international and national forces to make that happen. Syrian Kurds will need to find their own path, but they are not starting from nothing.”

Veteran diplomat Peter Galbraith compared the moment to the Kurdish experience after the fall of Saddam Hussein.

“The Kurds in Syria have governed themselves for more than a decade, just like the Kurds in Iraq had before 2003,” he said. “The difference is, Syrian Kurds do not want independence. They want to remain part of Syria — but in a system that allows them to thrive.”

Galbraith said preparation was key. “The Kurdish success in Iraq came from being well-prepared and knowing what they wanted in the constitutional process. That’s what Syrian Kurds need now. Define the goal, argue for it, and build consensus around it.”

He concluded that federalism may be the only viable path to unity.

“Some fear federalism will break Syria. I believe it may be the only way to keep it whole,” he said.

As the session closed, Ahmed reiterated her call for inclusion.

“We are not looking for isolation. We are not looking for domination,” she said. “We are looking to be part of a democratic Syria — a Syria where everyone’s rights are protected and no community is left behind.”