The Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES) made a statement regarding the 'Victory Congress' held in Damascus a few days ago and the decisions taken at the congress.

The Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria stated, “Developments concerning the Syrian people continue to unfold at a great pace following the fall of the Baath regime. A meeting was held in Damascus recently amid expectations for the establishment of a 'National Congress' to take many decisions jointly, especially on important issues such as making a constitution, creating an electoral system and organizing presidential elections in line with the call and demand of the Syrian people. Representatives of many armed groups in Syria took part in this meeting where a series of decisions were taken. As the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, we emphasize that these decisions should have been taken at a 'National Congress' with the participation of everyone.”

The statement further said the following: “We criticize such meetings. In particular, we do not accept the presence of some terrorists who have the blood of the Syrian people on their hands. Ehmed Ihsan Fayad al-Hayis (Abu Hatem Shaqra), who brutally murdered Hevrin Xelef, Secretary General of the Future Syria Party, is on the glabal wanted list on terrorism charges. Mohammad al-Jasim, the head of the Abu Amsha group, complicit in many crimes committed in Afrin, was also present at this meeting. We emphasize once again that this meeting is not legitimate and does not represent the Syrian people.

Any decision to be taken in Syria without a National Congress including all political circles will be incomplete. The most appropriate solution to end the instability in Syria is a national congress. The exclusion or suspension of any party in Syria from the congress will be no different from the practices of the former regime. On this basis, we once again call on the government in Damascus to refrain from such mistakes. Everyone must take part in the making of the new constitution in Syria.

The government in Damascus must not allow hate speech against equal life in Syria. Steps that lead to the manipulation of one side or nation must be prevented. A few days ago, such hate speeches were expressed during a demonstration in Umayyad Square in Damascus. This kind of rhetoric prevents the establishment of a democratic government in Syria.

As the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, we once again call for the unity of Syria as part of our national liberation perspective. We emphasize once again that everyone in Syria must have their say about the future of Syria.”