Chair of the Executive Board of the Democratic Syrian Council (MSD), Ilham Ehmed, talked to ANF about the work of the MSD in 2020 in the areas of diplomatic talks, constitutional committee and disclosed the plans for the new year.

Ilham Ehmed said that they continue to work for the democratization of Syria, but the regime's opinion on this issue has not changed, and this caused the Syrian crisis to continue. "There is only one way out from this situation, and that is to return to the Syrian Democratic Nation line and unite in the need of democratization of the country and the freedom of the peoples."

What were the MSD's plans and goals for 2020 and how much of them were achieved? If there were disruptions, what are the reasons?

The MSD aimed to hold the Opposition Congress in 2020. In this direction, meetings were held with some groups and individuals. However, some circumstances emerged that affect the whole world. Some political and intellectual factors also delayed this work.

Years of war, immigration, plundering, kidnappings, arrests and deaths have created a sense of insecurity in the Syrian peoples and opponents of the Syrian regime. This situation meant that the people stood by those who supported them. These are the biggest obstacles to the solution of the Syrian crisis. Besides, those involved in the war in Syria are actually playing for the disintegration of the Syrian peoples. The Syrian crisis is deep and the price paid is very high. There is only one way out of this situation, and that is to return to the Syrian Democratic Nation line and unite in the need of democratization of the country and the freedom of the peoples.

The MSD is the political umbrella organization for the solution of the Syrian crisis. Did you grow during this year? Did anybody from different democratic institutions and organizations join you? How did your work across Syria affect the people of the region or what is the feedback on your work translate to you?

During the year, we have worked in this direction throughout Syria. Dialogues were made and agreements were signed with some people and organisations. The MSD carried out important work. It can be a tough work, but it will also have huge consequences. Because it is a strategic work and determines the future of Syria. As the peoples of Syria, we have the right to decide our own solution. Dialogue and forum work is very important in terms of combining solution-oriented views.

2020 has been a year of diplomatic efforts for Northern and Eastern Syria. Arab countries, European countries, USA and Russia delegations came to the region throughout the year. Will the meetings of the Autonomous Administration and MSD with these delegations affect the region? Shall we see an improvement in the coming period?

The Autonomous Administration has implemented a democratic project. This project, which enables the society to govern itself by going through very difficult and dangerous processes, is a first experience for the whole of Syria. When the Autonomous Administration was subjected to heavy attacks by the Turkish state, the whole world was saying that this project would not survive two days and would collapse. Indeed, some parties were waiting for the collapse of this project, and others were concerned that a very bad situation would arise if the project was destroyed and the situation in Syria would change completely.

However, when it was seen that the project kept standing, that the people had embraced it and were defending it, they realized that this project was not just a talk. They saw that it was society itself that protected it and decided to support the project. Delegations visiting the region have political diplomatic meanings. We do not say that there is political recognition as yet, but the democratic solution efforts for the Syrian crisis will eventually ensure its recognition by its own means. The recognition of this autonomy and its official recognition in Syria is a debt all humanity has. The whole world must fulfil its mission and support this project.

The MSD delegation signed an agreement with the Syrian People's Will Party in Moscow in August. Then you met with Foreign Minister Lavrov. What happened since that day?

Negotiations continue. Our solution attitude is one. They attended the congress we organized for the first time. At the same time, joint work continues. This was also an important step for our talks with Russia. We attach importance to these talks, especially to develop a dialogue with the regime on the basis of the rights of all peoples and the principle of democracy. Russia's role in this matter is effective and important.

We also add that if Russia supports the Democratic Autonomy project, it will be the only way of liberation for Russia. Russia is entering Syrian territory, and pays the price for most of the regime's mistakes. At the same time the Syrian peoples also have expectations from the autonomy and they see that this project will save them from the bloody and fragmented situation and the regime tyranny in Syria.

Did you have any meetings with the Syrian regime during the year? If so, how did the meetings go? What is the approach of the Syrian regime to the democratic forces of North and East Syria such as the Autonomous Administration and the MSD?

The Syrian regime is trapped in a big mental and psychological vacuum. Its attitude is getting harder and harder. It is afraid of change and innovation. Its fear is not about Syria but about power. What it understands from freedom is surrender. Instead of making peace with the people, it is building alliances with counterparts in neighbouring countries such as Turkey. It does not want to understand that the situation of the society has become difficult. For example, its attitude towards accepting education in the mother tongue has not changed. It sees Kurds as guests, how can it accept democracy?

The mentality of the Baath regime is still the same. It turned everybody into a terrorist and went on. Today it is trying to put the SDF in the same situation. It makes black propaganda and conducts its opposition at the highest level. It wants to be alone in the squares as before. But this situation over time will change. Our aim is democratic change and the freedom of the peoples. There is no life other than this.

Til Koçer border gate was closed due to UN Law No. 2254 and veto of Russia and China. With the embargo imposed on Northern and Eastern Syria, important vital materials, including medical supplies, are prevented from entering the region, and this has very negative consequences on the region. How do you evaluate this situation? Have you worked on the solution of the problem so far or would you do it in the future?

Closing the border gate with a veto decision is a political stance. The contradictions between states are at the expense of the Syrian peoples. Five million people live in these areas. The regime wants to get the UN aid itself but not to support other regions. Thus, it aims to expand the area of power by forcing everybody to accept it will.

The Autonomous Administration should be supported, and the UN should sign agreements directly with it for assistance. The Democratic Autonomous Administration has been established for 7 years. During this time, it provided services to five million people. It also supported the people living in regions under the control of the regime and Turkish state mercenaries. It distributed fuel and food throughout Syria. It doesn’t discriminate between the peoples of Syria. In the future, the international community and the UN could also make agreements with the Autonomous Administration.

The negotiations of the constitutional committee, which did not include the Democratic Autonomous Administration representing one third of Syria, continued this year. No result has come out from these talks that have been going on since 2012. Did you talk about this in your negotiations with Russia? How do you evaluate this situation?

Undoubtedly, this work and the constitutional committee are carried out not by the Syrian peoples, but by the alliance between the states. Therefore, the work of the constitutional committee will also be an agreement between states. Without Turkey's consent there is no inclusion in this committee. They did not include neither the MSD nor the Autonomous Administration. There is no progress so far in the constitutional committee talks. All Syrian public components and opposition representatives should participate in such a strategic and important work. On this basis, general principles should be observed and a common constitution should be achieved, not a referendum. The right of a nation cannot undergo a referendum. If a constitution is created with the existing committee, it will not serve the Syrian peoples.

The MSD held its congress on 25 November with the slogan ‘Towards a national congress for the peoples of Jazira and the Euphrates Region’. It was reflected in the press that many important decisions were taken in the congress manifesto. One of them was the restructuring and building process. How will the next process work and what are the MSD goals for 2021?

It is true that our efforts were aimed at strengthening the Autonomous Administration. The MSD carries out the work for the Autonomous Administration. Restructuring and development decisions were taken at the congress, which saw a massive participation of Autonomous Administration representatives. The new organization to be made with the elections to be held will bring a new democratic process. Changes and renewals continue. Crises and problems will be prevented. We will see great improvements in administration work.

In the new year, ending the occupation and announcing the self-defense struggle of our people to the world will be our main work and task. Democratic Autonomy regions will be the democracy centre of the Syrian unity. It is our joint project to develop joint efforts with the Syrian opposition and all solution parties.