Agreement between the SDF and Syria’s leaders

The Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) welcomes the agreement between the new Islamist leaders in Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), calling on the international community to do everything possible to prevent even more bloodshed in Syria.

“The agreement should have been met right after the fall of the Assad regime, in early December of 2024. Unfortunately, al-Sharaa was not prepared to try and find an agreement with the Kurds and the SDF before the wave of international pressure following the genocidal massacres against the Alawite minority. Now, it is crucial to maintain pressure on the Islamist leaders in order to prevent further killings of Alawite people and other ethnic minorities,” stated Dr. Kamal Sido, the STP’s Middle East Correspondent, in Göttingen today.

“The agreement signed yesterday was welcomed in Syria, as it might serve to prevent further bloodshed and brutal killings of Alawite civilians. Now, those who are responsible for the crimes must be brought to justice. This would be the only way for the new Islamist ruler in Damascus to prove his credibility,” the human rights advocate demanded. “Also, it will be necessary to investigate the war crimes committed by the Assad regime and the militias on all sides, in order to hold the perpetrators accountable. There must be no impunity!”

“The EU and the German Federal Government must act on their partner, Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, to ensure that he will not torpedo the agreement between the new Islamist leaders in Syria and the Kurdish people. Further, Turkey must withdraw its troops from the occupied Kurdish areas and disband the Islamist militias it trained and financed. They are a great danger to the minority groups and to women,” Sido demanded.

“A strengthening of the Kurdish minority, the SDF, and the Druze minority in the south of the country could prevent further massacres by the Turkish-backed Islamist militias. Further, this could increase the chances that the new constitution will also secure the rights of the Kurds, recognition of the Kurdish language, the Aramean language, and the languages of other minority groups. We must not accept further Islamization in Syria or allow Sharia law to become the basis of all legislation in Syria. In addition to the separation of powers, it is also crucial to separate religion and state affairs – and the role of women in society must be strengthened under constitutional law. Women must be represented in all Syrian official bodies and authorities, especially in the judiciary and the police forces,” the Middle East Consultant said.