National Dialogue on Syria's Future Faces Obstacles: No Participation Without Disarmament, Says Government

National Dialogue on Syria's Future Faces Obstacles: No Participation Without Disarmament, Says Government

Damascus, February 13, 2025: A committee set up to prepare for a national dialogue on Syria's future announced on Thursday that no group will be allowed to participate unless they disarm and submit to the authority of the Ministry of Defense.

This announcement raises the possibility that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which controls much of northern and eastern Syria, may be excluded from the national dialogue unless they comply with the demands of the new Damascus government to lay down their arms. The seven-member preparatory committee was established to lay the groundwork for the national conference, which interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has said will form the basis for a constitutional declaration.

The new Syrian administration wants the U.S.-backed SDF to integrate into the national army, but has rejected an SDF proposal for the Kurdish-led group to join as a single military bloc within the army. Hassan al-Dughaim, spokesperson for the preparatory committee, said during a news conference, "The SDF does not represent our people. We are talking about a national dialogue. Whoever does not lay down their arms will have no role in the national dialogue."

Interim President Sharaa, in a January 31 interview, stated that the SDF is ready to integrate its forces into the state, but more time is needed to reach an agreement.