BÊRÎVAN ÎNATÇÎ – AVZEM VIYAN

Hasakah- Developments that will affect the whole world have been taking place in the Middle East in recent months. One of these developments of the fall of the 61-year-old Baathist regime in Syria within 12 days.

NuJINHA interviewed İlham Ehmed, Co-chair of the Executive Council of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, about the recent developments in Syria, their possible impact on the Middle East, the meeting with Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan in Northern Kurdistan.

 ‘The 61-year-old Baathist regime was overthrown by HTS within 12 days’

The fall of the regime, which had been in power for more than 60 years, has left many serious problems unsolved, İlham Ehmed told us. “The 61-year-old Baathist regime was overthrown by HTS within 12 days. Problems faced by women continue to exist as deep-rooted problems in society because women’s rights have not been guaranteed in the constitution. There is no law that protects women from violence. Another problem is the problem of nation and religion. The Kurdish question is also a problem that has been left unsolved. The Baathist regime deepened chauvinism in society by ignoring all ethnic and religious identities.”

İlham Ehmed also commented on the talks held between the new interim government led by the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). “We cannot discuss what they want or what we want. The important thing is to agree on the territorial integrity of Syria. Both parties agree on a single army in Syria. However, there is difference of opinion on the decentralization of Syria. We believe that a decentralized system will ensure the rights of all ethnic and religious identities. A decentralized Syria will be able to solve all the problems suffered by it. Syria must be decentralized to stop bloodshed and achieve democracy and freedom.”

‘Türkiye has appointed consultants to the ministries’

Türkiye has appointed consultants to the ministries of the new interim government led by HTS to take control of Syria, İlham Ehmed emphasized. “Following the fall of the Assad regime, Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan visited Damascus to take control of Syria. Since Syrian airspace is open to Türkiye, Turkish drones and warplanes attack North and East Syria. Türkiye has also appointed consultants to other positions in the interim government, giving directions. In other worlds, the Turkish state has realized its 500-year dream in practice. This situation poses a threat to all identities in Syria. Türkiye must recognize the borders of Syria and act according to them.”

İlham Ehmed also talked about the meeting between Mazlum Abdi and Masoud Barzani in Southern Kurdistan. “The meeting was really important for the unity of the Kurdish people. The future of the Kurds in Syria has been discussed. We think that the support of the government and political parties in Southern Kurdistan to the Kurdish people in Rojava is very important. We hope that more meetings will be held in the future. The Kurdish people should always support each other.”

‘The meetings with Mr.Abdullah Öcalan are very important’

İlham Ehmed answered our question about the recent meetings with Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan in the prison island of Imrali. “We have been going through a period in which the fate of not only North and East Syria but also the Middle East has been redesigned. Therefore, the meetings with Mr. Abdullah Öcalan are very important. Mr.Öcalan has been making great efforts to determine the fate of all Kurds.”

İlham Ehmed concluded her speech, saying, “Today is the day to determine the future of Syria. All people must fulfill their responsibilities to build a democratic Syria. Today is not a day to complain but unite. Whatever is necessary must be done not only in North and East Syria, but also in Southern, Northern and Eastern Kurdistan and other countries. We must unite to build a democratic Syria, respecting all ethnic and religious identities.”