The Syrian Democratic Assembly (MSD) issued a written statement on the 20th anniversary of the 12 March 2004 uprising.

The MSD statement on Tuesday included the following:

"It has been 20 years since the 12 March uprising, which was a social reaction against the oppressive system and brought together the components of the country. The social and political knowledge of the Kurdish people was greater than the regime and did not fall into the trap of the regime.

The massacre of civilians turned into a major uprising that spread across Aleppo and Damascus as the people broke the barrier of fear and called for freedom, democracy and democratic change. This uprising was the first spark and foundation of the Syrian people's revolution against the regime, which started in Daraa and gradually spread to other parts of Syria. Thus, from 12 March 2004 onwards, the revolution took its true meaning and established the democratic Autonomous Administration, which became an example and hope for all Syrians.

We commemorate the martyrs of the Qamishlo Uprising and all the martyrs of the Syrian revolution. We know that we have historical responsibilities because of their sacrifices, and we will not step back until a multi-faceted and decentralised democratic Syria is established with the demands and goals of the revolution.

The 12 March uprising forced the government to step back by uniting the Kurdish-Arab stance against the oppressive system. The regime failed to create discord between the groups and use the groups and their causes, especially the Kurdish people.

We point out that the peaceful struggle and the unity of the people on 12 March 2004 have rendered the claims of the regime null and void. Therefore, we call on Syrians, their movements and groups to unite and put aside their differences and unite to implement the rules of peaceful coexistence and to realise the hopes of the Syrian people for a dignified life and democratic change. Therefore, we say that the way to realise the Syrian people's demands and hopes for change is through the Syrian-Syrian dialogue."