In a significant development amidst escalating violence in northern Syria, a senior official from the Kurdish administration has reiterated the commitment of Syria’s Kurds to agreements made with the government. This assertion came following clashes that erupted in Aleppo earlier this week, raising concerns over the fragile peace in the region.
The confrontation started on Tuesday, with both the Syrian government and Kurdish forces pointing fingers at each other over the origins of the violence. The clashes have emerged as both sides struggle to implement a critical agreement reached in March, which aimed to integrate the Kurdish administration and military into the wider Syrian government framework.
Elham Ahmad, a prominent figure in the Kurdish administration in northeastern Syria, emphasized the Kurds’ dedication to peaceful resolutions and dialogue. She lamented that the Syrian government appears uninterested in finding a negotiated solution, instead opting for military action. “The government… does not want a solution,” she articulated, while accusing authorities of “choosing the path of war” by launching attacks on Kurdish-held districts in Aleppo.
Ahmad asserted that these military actions by the government seem designed to undermine the peace agreements that have been established. She reaffirmed the Kurdish commitment to these accords and their eagerness to see them implemented.
In response to the violence, the Syrian government announced a truce on Friday, attempting to quell the conflict that has forced thousands of residents to flee their homes. The truce included a demand for Kurdish fighters to vacate two specific districts they currently control, namely Ashrafiyeh and Sheikh Maqsud. However, the Kurdish fighters have made it clear they would refuse to abandon these areas, vowing to “resist” the encirclement by the Syrian army.
Ahmad noted the role of international diplomacy in this ongoing conflict, specifically mentioning the involvement of the United States. She expressed hope that the U.S. would exert pressure on the Syrian government to enable a peaceful resolution. A diplomatic source indicated that U.S. envoy Tom Barrack was en route to Damascus, a move that could signal further international engagement in these critical negotiations.
As tensions continue to simmer, the outcomes of both the truce and the ongoing dialogue efforts remain uncertain. The situation highlights the complex dynamics at play in Syria, particularly regarding the Kurdish population’s future within the broader political landscape of the nation.
