Syria's Future: Kurds Envision a United, Decentralized State

The commander leading the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces is pushing for a fresh start in Syria where everyone has an equal place. He recently met with Syria's new interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa for discussions. They are working together to find solutions for Syria's future, including the role of the Kurds. The commander emphasized that the U. S. troops should stay in Syria. This is because he believes that if they leave, the extremist group ISIS will take advantage. ISIS continues to pose a threat and might seize more weapons from abandoned security posts. The fall of Bashar Assad's regime was a significant moment, ushering in a new era. The Assad family's 54-year rule ended when rebels took Damascus. This political change has led to a power vacuum with the new interim leader and a government in flux. The Syrian factions formed to oppose Assad met last week in Damascus and picked HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa as the interim president. These groups also suspended the constitution and dissolved the army and the country's security agencies. The Syrian Democratic Forces, led by the Kurds, were not there. The commander also talked about the Syrian Democratic Forces and said they are not interested in becoming an autonomous state like the Kurds in Iraq. Instead, they want to be part of the Syrian system. They think it is important for Syria to remain a united country. The current political situation has stirred up concerns that extremist groups might try to turn Syria into an Islamic state. This is despite some leaders showing willingness to promote religious coexistence. The commander stressed the need for a Syria that respects all its people, regardless of their religion or ethnicity. The commander explained that negotiations are ongoing with help from the U. S. and other nations. The commander said the Syrian Democratic Forces are willing to join Syria's defense. They want to be part of the defense ministry and contribute to the security of the country. It is still unclear how this will work in practice. They are waiting for a response from Damascus on their proposal. The commander also mentioned that they need to discuss the future of Syria's defense with Damascus. They are not in a rush and want to move forward step by step.