Kongra Star Coordination Member Gulistan Gulo spoke to ANF about the situation in Syria following the fall of the Ba'ath regime, the attacks by the Turkish state, and the policies of the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) administration towards women.

What are the concerns regarding the HTS that replaced the Ba'ath regime and its ability to govern Syria?

There are concerns about how a jihadist organization like HTS can govern a resource-rich country like Syria, as HTS is a Salafi organization. In fact, the Syrian people do not believe that HTS can govern Syria. The question of how a new Syria will take shape, what form of governance will emerge, and what the future holds for the people is still a matter of debate. HTS wants to implement the model it built in Idlib throughout Syria, but this model is unsuitable for Syria or any country. Therefore, we are in a period of deep contradictions in Syria. If we look at those gathered around the HTS administration, all of them are individuals trained, equipped, fed, and managed by the occupying Turkish state in Idlib.

What is the Turkish state trying to achieve with its military and diplomatic activities in such an environment?

The occupying Turkish state seeks to realize its dreams of re-establishing and expanding the Ottoman Empire through these gangs. The fact that HTS has turned its focus to Northern and Eastern Syria since it toppled the regime further supports this thesis. Exploiting the vacuum created in Syria, the occupiers aim to seize control. They were greatly disappointed by the resistance on the Tishrin front. Unable to carry out the occupation with their gangs, the Turkish state directly intervened with its own soldiers and advanced technology. When this approach also failed to bring results, the Turkish state expanded its targets beyond Tishrin and is now aiming at every city in Northern and Eastern Syria. Through these attacks, they are trying to eliminate the will and the Autonomous Administration model that has been established in Northern and Eastern Syria, preventing the Syrian people from benefiting from the model. The Autonomous Administration model has been in place in Northern and Eastern Syria for 10 years. Women and people have built an equal, democratic, and just society.

Can the Autonomous Administration model be a model for all of Syria?

Syria has a rich geographical structure. In addition to the geographical richness, Syria is also a country rich in terms of its diverse peoples.  The Autonomous Administration model, which has been implemented in Northern and Eastern Syria, is an important example for Syria. All peoples can see themselves within this model and live with equality, democracy, and justice, embracing their differences in the Autonomous Administration model. In this experience, which embraces the people and women have the floor, each people’s will, culture, and language can survive and continue to exist. Therefore, the model has many aspects that attract the attention of the people. Throughout the construction of the Autonomous Administration, the resilience of the people in the face of attacks is evident. It is a project that addresses the people. Everyone has witnessed how life has been built through struggle amidst the attacks. Building a good life in Syria passes through the Autonomous Administration model.

What steps do you think should be taken to better protect women's rights?

In order for women's rights to be protected and guaranteed, women must have equal say in the constitution. Achieving gender equality is important. Just as women's rights are guaranteed in the Social Contract of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, with 50% participation in all areas of life, the Syrian Constitution should follow this example. The protection of women's rights and 50% representation in Syria's new constitution is very important for us.

What role does Kongra Star play among the women's movements in Syria?

Under the leadership of Kongra Star, we organized a Women’s Solidarity Workshop on January 7, which included participants from outside Northern and East Syria. The workshop focused not only on the future of women in North and Eastern Syria, but also on the potential situations awaiting women across Syria, the role of women in the new Syria, and discussions about the protection of women's gains. Based on these discussions, we have had and will continue to have meetings with women's movements in Syria. We also have significant discussions and relationships with women living in Damascus, as well as with Alawite and Druze women. The role of women is crucial for building a new Syria on the right foundations. In this context, we are in dialogue with Syrian women. We also had strong relationships with women living in the cities of Syria in the past.

How can this solidarity be strengthened?

We can give the Women’s Solidarity Workshop as an example. A firm stance was taken to develop an organized struggle. This solidarity can be further strengthened by having a network capable of organizing all the women living in Syria. The upcoming completion of the Women’s Social Contract will also contribute to making this solidarity even stronger.

What kind of struggle are you carrying out to protect women's rights in an environment dominated by jihadist groups like HTS?

Ayşe El Dibis, the 'Minister of Women's Affairs' under the HTS administration, does not acknowledge her own identity as a woman.  She is a woman under HTS control who serves this mentality. A woman’s ignorance of her identity, history, resistance, and struggle leads to witnessing such painful realities. If she had been aware of her own identity, history, struggle, and resistance, she would not have restricted women's living spaces, nor would she have confined them to their homes or disregarded their worth.  Against male-dominated mentalities, Syrian women need to recognize their own female identity and defend women's rights. As women, spreading this awareness until there is one person left is our most important duty and responsibility. If a woman does not know her identity, history, or past, and cannot foresee her future, it will be difficult for her to take a position in the struggle. Our struggle will continue to reach and raise awareness among women.

What are your plans and projects for the upcoming period?

We are waiting for the Syrian National Congress to take place. Despite the obstacles created by the HTS administration, we continue our activities to strengthen women’s organization to participate in this congress. Just as we could not carry out our activities freely during the regime era, the same applies during the HTS administration. If a democratic project is to be built for Syria, the steps taken must be sincere and strong. This has not yet been the case.

We are facing obstacles, but these obstacles do not weaken the struggle. As women, there needs to be an organization that will represent the women of North and East Syria at the Syrian National Congress. In the upcoming period, we are continuing our efforts to plan for an organization that will reach all cities of Syria. Through this organization, we aim to expand the Autonomous Administration system that exists in North and East Syria, just as we contributed to and led the organization of all women’s movements in North and East Syria. We aim to lead such an effort in Syria as well.