Abdi: Integration files are faltering and the war with Damascus has been folded forever

SDF commander  Mazloum Abdi announced that  the integration process  is proceeding "gradually" despite what he described as heavy complications that still hinder basic files, most notably the judiciary, education, and the return of displaced people and detainees, stressing that the current stage represents a "new political transition" for the Kurds in Syria, but stressed at the same time that a return to war is not on the table.

Abdi's remarks came in a lengthy interview with Hawar News Agency, in which he revealed precise details about the path of the agreement, and the political, administrative and security obstacles it faces, and Abdi said that the military agreement signed on January 29 has achieved "important developments", especially in the assumption of the commanders of their duties within the military academies and in the acceptance of the new structure of the formations.

However, he explained that the number file is still unresolved, and that the agreement did not set a numerical ceiling for forces, but focused on the "level of formations", stressing that work is underway to prevent the exclusion of any element or employee from the institutions of the Autonomous Administration, including fighters outside the official formations.

The judiciary and the Kurdish language... Spark that disrupted the merger

Abdi revealed that the judiciary file was the direct reason for the disruption of the merger process for two weeks, as a result of the lack of a clear mechanism for integrating the judges of the Autonomous Administration within state institutions, and the concerns raised about rights and privacy, and described the reactions issued by the judges as "right", because they rejected the exclusion, which contradicts the essence of the agreement.

He pointed out that intensive meetings were held in Damascus and northeastern Syria, which resulted in  understandings to integrate the judges of the Autonomous Administration and not exclude them, and the continuation of some veteran judges to ensure the progress of work, and to hand over lists of the names of judges in preparation for their enrollment in government judicial courses, and to expedite the opening of judicial centers because they are linked to basic services such as the land registry, passports and elections

Abdi stopped at removing the Kurdish language from the painting of the Judicial Palace in Hasakah, describing the popular reactions as "strong and right", stressing that an understanding has been reached to adopt introductory boards in Arabic and Kurdish languages in Kurdish-majority cities, with the Hasakah plaque to be reviewed later.

Ready-made understandings awaiting signing

Abdi said that the education file is still pending, especially with regard to the adoption of the Kurdish language as a language of instruction, explaining that the SDF has refused to reduce the language to Decree 13, because it "does not meet the needs of the Kurdish community," adding that several meetings have been held with the Syrian Ministry of Education, and understandings have been reached that "take into account the aspirations of the Kurdish people," but they have not yet been signed by the prime minister.

He stressed that the recognition of self-administration certificates in the preparatory and secondary stages "will be announced today or tomorrow", with efforts to recognize university degrees and certificates from previous years, explaining that the curricula of self-administration will continue during the current and next years "to prevent harm to students", until new national curricula are issued in the Kurdish language.

Afrin... Late return

Abdi criticized the delay in the return of the people of Afrin, blaming the government for the "slowness" in taking measures, in addition to the continued presence of armed groups that refuse to withdraw, and said that the government has made promises to return the displaced "whether an agreement is reached with the SDF or not", stressing that there are understandings not to harm anyone in Afrin, and to work to return the properties to their owners.

He stressed that the people of Afrin should get the same rights as the residents of the island and Kobani, whether in education, jobs or military service, and called on Kurdish businessmen to support Afrin's economy, saying the region needs "extensive development".

Detainees... "We appealed despite the decision to withdraw"

In the detainees' file, Abdi said that the capture of a large number of SDF fighters came after the decision to withdraw from Deir Hafer, before a "stab occurred" and unexpected confrontations broke out, explaining that the agreement stipulated that there would be no confrontation, and that the attack led to a number of fighters being captured  and that some of them were released, and that contacts are continuing to release the rest "during the current week."

He also denied the circulating figures of thousands of deaths, stressing that the number reached about 260 martyrs in several areas.

Abdi said the agreement with Damascus "did not meet all ambitions", but it was the "maximum possible" in the current circumstances. He stressed that the two sides agreed not to return to war and that differences would be resolved through dialogue,  noting that there were parties "dissatisfied" with the agreement on both sides, but ruled out that it would turn into an influential current.

International Sponsorship and the Future of the Constitution

Regarding the Syrian constitution, Abdi said that the demand for the representation of the Kurds in the constitutional committee was raised during meetings with the Syrian government, expecting the Kurds to have representation in it when it is formed.

He also confirmed the continuation of international sponsorship of the agreement process, pointing to the presence of representatives of the United States, France and Britain during the signing of the agreement, in addition to the continuation of contacts with these parties.

Abdi also spoke about the Turkish role, considering that Ankara is a "key force" in the Syrian file, and that the success of the agreement requires "Turkey should not be an obstacle" to its implementation, revealing that there are open channels of communication between the two parties to discuss security and political files.

Abdi concluded by saying that the region is "going through a new phase" and that integration with the Syrian state "does not mean the end of the struggle," but rather represents "continuity within a new phase" aimed at consolidating Kurdish rights within a future Syria.