On Monday, the General Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Mazlum Abdi, and the Syrian Interim President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, signed an eight-article agreement. Salih Muslim, spokesperson for the PYD's foreign relations, spoke to ANF about the agreement and Abdullah Öcalan’s letter on Rojava and the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, explaining the specific provisions. 

On Monday, an agreement was signed between Mazlum Abdi, General Commander of the SDF, and Syrian Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. What is your first comment on this agreement?

This agreement was reached a few days ago at a joint meeting of the Autonomous Administration and the SDF. It was decided that committees would be formed and that the agreement would contain seven to eight articles. These committees will be established, and the details will be discussed within them. 

We will go through each article, but how do you interpret the general framework? Can we say that the revolution in Rojava has been consolidated with this agreement? Has Rojava gained status, at least regionally?

Yes, we can say that it has been consolidated. After so much struggle and resistance, we are now partners in everything - this much is clear. We are partners in everything related to this state: its administration, constitution, daily life, economy, everything. 

Let’s start with the first article: "Ensuring the right of all Syrians to representation and participation in the political process and all state institutions based on competence and responsibility, regardless of their religious or ethnic background." This project aims at the coexistence of all societal groups and has been implemented in Rojava. Will this project be implemented throughout Syria, or was it only discussed for Rojava?

It will not only be implemented for the Autonomous Administration. It is valid for all of Syria. The details are still being discussed, but the scope is nationwide. 

The second article is important: "The Kurdish community is an indigenous component of the Syrian state, and the Syrian state guarantees their citizenship and all constitutional rights." In Syria, Kurds had no identity; they were not even considered citizens. How should this article be interpreted? 

The Baathist regime’s policy of stripping people of their identity is over. There were also some old laws that will be corrected. In other words, Kurds will receive equal citizenship rights. 

Another article calls for a nationwide ceasefire. However, attacks on Rojava continue. The Turkish state and affiliated groups are carrying out attacks. Will there be a unified stance against these attacks?

These conflicts and the actions of these groups will be deemed illegal. We will collectively resist these attacks. No one can claim that these groups are part of the state because they are illegal armed groups. If they continue their attacks, we will fight together. 

Another article states: "The integration of all civil and military institutions in Northern and Eastern Syria into the administration of the Syrian state, including border crossings, airports, and oil and gas fields." What can you say about this article?

We will jointly manage border crossings like Nisêbîn and Til Koçer. We will decide together on the distribution and administration of the revenues from these areas. This will be regulated by laws and agreements, and the details will be outlined in those agreements. 

Another article ensures that “all displaced Syrians can return to their towns and villages under the protection of the Syrian state”. Afrin, Girê Spî, and Serêkaniyê immediately come to mind. What is the plan for these regions? What does this agreement mean in this context? 

Everyone will be allowed to return to their homes. Many houses were seized and settled by outsiders. These people will return to their original homes. In a sense, this means liberating these areas from Turkish occupation. 

What does the article stating "Supporting the Syrian state’s fight against the remnants of the Assad regime and any threats to its security and unity" means?

We will stand together. The remnants of the Baath regime will have no place. That means they will not be able to use our areas to fight against the new regime. 

The seventh article rejects all calls for the division of Syrian society, hate speech, and attempts to sow discord. In this sense, the Turkish state, through HTS, has promoted monism. Can we say that this pressure has been neutralized with this agreement? 

Syrian citizens will be regarded as equals, regardless of their religion or ethnicity. For example, no one will be able to say that they do not recognize the Yazidi community or force them to convert to Islam. With a broad democratic administration, everyone can live as they wish. In this sense, it is a great achievement, a significant gain for Alawites, Druze, Yazidis, and Christians. 

Will the executive committees work to ensure this agreement is implemented by the end of the year? Does this also refer to drafting the constitution, or only practical actions will be taken? Will the constitution be prepared in the long term? 

A committee will be formed for each of the eight articles. There will be a committee for armed forces, which will discuss how the forces will integrate. An agreement will be reached, and then there will be discussion on how governance will be. These committees will reach an agreement within a year. This could also include a constitution or an interim constitution. A referendum will then be held on this interim constitution. 

What does this agreement mean on an international level? International support for the current transitional government is well known. We see that Western powers play an important role in shaping the new Syria. 

International powers acted as mediators. Both our administration and the Syrian government had mediators. This means that these mediators have approved the agreement, and all parties will contribute to it. We are now officially a partner in this state. 

Does this mean that international powers were involved in drafting this text, or are they supporting one side of the agreement? 

In everything, we are partners in the affairs of this state, both domestically and internationally. 

Another topic widely discussed in this context was Rêber Apo’s [Abdullah Öcalan’s] letter to Rojava. His statements, whether he spoke about disarmament or not, have been widely debated. Particularly in AKP-affiliated media, it was claimed that there was a call for SDF and YPG/YPJ to disarm. Did this agreement serve as a response to this propaganda?

This letter was addressed to the administration. As far as I know, it confirms that we are on the right path. That is, we want to be part of Syria, we want unity, we want peace. In other words, we have not deviated from what was stated in the letter. We have not exceeded the points mentioned by Rêber Apo. 

Have you read the letter? 

I was informed of its contents. Essentially, we accept making peace and being part of this state. Of course, we will take our place in this state while protecting our rights and identity. We have always said this, so we are not excluded. You mentioned partisan media. These media outlets will portray today’s agreement as "capitulation" or spread such propaganda. However, the reality is different. Reaching such an agreement is a significant victory for us. If something similar happened in Bakurê Kurdistanê [Northern Kurdistan], it would be very beneficial. 

Since you know the content of Rêber Apo’s letter, let me ask again for clarity: Does he say anything about disarmament or giving up self-defense in his letter to Rojava?

No, absolutely not. There is nothing like that. 

Can we say that the text of the agreement aligns with the perspective that Rêber Apo envisioned for Rojava? 

We are part of Syria. We want to live together. We want to preserve our uniqueness. All of this is included in this agreement. 

Is there anything you would like to add?

Our people should not believe biased media. We have never lied, so we ask them to listen to us. Thank you very much.