SYRIA NEWS | ZAMAN ALWSL

Syrian government hopes ‘rational voices’ within SDF will advance integration deal

AA — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 19:21:00 +0300

The Syrian government is hopeful that "rational voices" within the YPG/PKK-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the broader Kurdish groups will take the lead in implementing an agreement with Damascus to integrate the SDF into state institutions, a senior official said Wednesday.

In an exclusive interview with Anadolu, Qutaiba Idlbi, director of the Americas at the Syrian Foreign Ministry, underlined the importance of implementing the March 10 deal, inked by Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and a senior SDF ringleader.

On March 10, the Syrian presidency announced the signing of an agreement for the integration of SDF into state institutions, reaffirming the country's territorial unity and rejecting any attempts at division.

“We hope that rational voices within the SDF and the broader Kurdish groups will push for implementing the agreement, which serves everyone’s interests -- not just the Syrian government, but also the Syrian people as a whole, and especially the Kurdish communities in northeastern Syria,” he said.

“We, in the Syrian government, are committed to implementing the agreement fully before the end of the year,” Idlbi said.

He said that last week’s talks held in Paris between Syria, the US, and France primarily focused on ways to implement the agreement and accelerate its implementation.

Co-existence

Idlbi called Syrian government proposals for the northeastern region “quite practical” as they recognize “the realities on the ground, including the links between the SDF and local Kurdish communities.”

“But we also emphasize that the SDF does not represent the entire population of northeastern Syria,” he said.

“The Kurdish presence in Syria is not new,” Idlbi stressed.

Himself a Syrian Kurd, Idlbi said the Kurds “have been here in Syria for hundreds of years. For generations, millions of Kurds have lived here and had a unique experience.”

He called for taking lessons from “this centuries-long experience – how to coexist, preserve our Kurdish identity, and at the same time fully belong to the broader Syrian identity.”

Lack of trust

While acknowledging that Kurdish communities have faced problems under the Assad regime, Idlbi stressed that these problems “should be addressed politically, not by creating new legal frameworks or alternative governance structures, which would only lead to more problems for Syria and the region.”

These problems, he said, can easily be addressed under Syrian law, such as teaching the Kurdish language and adding the Kurdish culture to the curriculum.

“Kurdish communities could introduce Kurdish language education, just as Turkmen communities could introduce education in Turkish,” he said.

The Syrian diplomat stated that a lack of trust-building mechanisms has hindered serious discussions between the government and the SDF on how to implement the agreed-upon clauses.

Another key issue is “the absence of unified decision-making within the SDF,” Idlbi added.

“It’s clear that there are differing opinions within the SDF leadership. While some genuinely want to implement the agreement, others are looking for excuses to delay or obstruct it.”

Integration model

Idlbi warned that the integration of loyalists of the ousted Assad regime into the SDF “would drag the region into another conflict,” citing the recent unrest in Latakia and Suwayda.

Idlbi blamed the SDF for failing to implement its obligations under the March 10 agreement, including the withdrawal of its forces from the agreed areas, as the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods in Aleppo, or handing over the Tishrin Dam on the Euphrates River to the Syrian government to resume its operations and cease hostilities in its vicinity.

“This poses a major obstacle because it makes it difficult for the Syrian government to claim progress when the situation on the ground remains unchanged -- or, as I mentioned, has even regressed.”

Idlbi said the government aspires to turn the integration process in Deir ez-Zor in eastern Syria into a model that “could encourage similar steps in other parts of northeast Syria.”

It is “one of the easiest regions to start with” due to the strong presence of the Syrian government, he added.

Full integration

Regarding some media reports about alternatives to the signed agreement with the SDF to maintain the group’s presence within the Syrian army, Idlbi stressed that “the March 10 agreement is very clear: integration means full integration.”

“Syria can’t move forward with a state within a state nor an army within an army. We don’t want a Hezbollah-style parallel state. That model will not work.”

“The doors of the civil and military institutions are open for anyone who wants to serve their country,” he said.

“Anyone who wants to protect their community and live in safety must work within state institutions. That’s the only guarantee of security and prosperity in Syria’s transition and recovery.”

On the repeated Israeli assaults on Damascus, the Syrian diplomat said that the US understands well that continued Israeli attacks could destabilize the entire region, calling for the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the territories it occupied after the Assad regime’s fall in December 2024.

“If the Syrian government can’t maintain security in the region and eliminate terror groups, not only Daesh/ISIS but also Iranian militias, this would mean Iran’s return to Syria, a move that would harm both Syria and the region.”

“Washington understands this and is pushing all sides, including Israel, to stop this policy in Syria,” Idlbi said.

“Syria is a key to regional stability. So working with the Syrian government and supporting its stability is the only way to ensure the region’s security.”

Idlbi called a defense budget proposal from the Pentagon to fund the SDF and its offshoots “a technical continuation of last year’s policy.”

There is “a complete shift in the US approach towards SDF and efforts to combat Daesh/ISIS,” he said.

“The US has made it clear it has no essential partner in the coming period except the Syrian government,” he added.

Türkiye’s role

Idlbi said the Syrian government is open to economic partnerships with all international actors, underlining the urgent need to lift the Assad-era sanctions on Syria.

He appreciated Türkiye’s role and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s efforts to push the US to lift sanctions on Syria.

“(Türkiye’s) support continues, and it will allow Syria not just to recover economically and serve its people but also contribute to Türkiye’s strength and Syria’s unity.”

“We don’t want to drag Syrians into another war with anyone. So we seek to solve all challenges -- internal and external -- through dialogue and political solutions, while holding firm to Syria’s independence, territorial integrity, and national pride.”

Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on Dec. 8, ending the Baath Party’s regime, which had been in power since 1963. A new administration led by Sharaa was formed in January.

For Syrian women, quake adds disaster on top of war's pain

AP — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 11:46:28 +0300

Draped in a heavy wool shawl against the cold, Ayesha dragged her feet, her toddler granddaughter trailing behind her, as they made the 15-minute walk from her tent to the nearest bathroom in a nearby building, the only place they have to wash.

Seven days after the earthquake leveled their home in the northwest Syrian town of Atareb, the 43-year-old still has no access to water, electricity or heat for her and 12 family members, all crammed into a single tent.

“When I look at our house, I wonder how did anyone come out alive?” Ayesha said. “Maybe it would have been better if I died," she added. "I came from under that rubble carrying the rubble of the whole world on my shoulders.”

She doesn’t know how much more she and other Syrians can take. Women in particular have shouldered the responsibility of keeping shattered families together during the past 12 years of civil war. The conflict and economic collapse left millions of people dependent on international aid. Now added to the litany of hardships is destruction from the earthquake, which killed tens of thousands and left millions homeless in southern Turkey and northern Syria.

With hospitals swamped by quake victims, Ayesha can’t get medical services to treat and monitor her liver disease. She and her husband both lost their sources of income in the quake. His taxi was crushed, and her stock of clothes that she once sold to neighbors was destroyed.

They have nothing to provide for their six children and their five grandchildren, including two she took in after one of her sons was killed in the war. They have to share mattresses to sleep in their tent.

“If hardships are a sign of the love of God, it means God really loves the Syrian people,” Ayesha said, breaking out in tears. Like most women in this conservative community, she spoke on condition her last name be withheld.

Their tent is in a camp for quake victims in Atareb, part of the last opposition-held territory in northwest Syria, which has seen bombardment and fighting for years. Walking between rows of destroyed homes in the town, it is hard to distinguish which collapsed from the quake and which from intense military operations at the height of fighting.

Syria’s war has loaded a particular burden and isolation on women, with so many men who were killed, detained, maimed or forced out of the country. The number of female-headed households across Syria increased by around 80% to comprise more than a fifth of households in 2020, according to the U.N.

Even before the quake, over 7 million women and girls across Syria needed critical health services and support against physical and sexual violence. Child marriage was on the rise, and hundreds of thousands of girls were out of school.

The immediate impact of the earthquake put at least 350,000 pregnancies in Syria and Turkey at risk, according to U.N. figures.

Women in the opposition-held northwest are especially vulnerable. Most of the territory’s population of 4 million fled there after being displaced from other parts of Syria. Health care was already stretched thin and dependent on foreign aid. Now non-emergency medical services have been suspended to deal with the earthquake.

“We can treat the women after trauma or after delivery, but they need to go back to a safe environment with minimum housing, nutrition and clean water. Unfortunately, this is in general lacking in northwest,” said Basel Termanini, chairman of the Syrian American Medical Society which has dozens of facilities in the northwest.

Throughout the war, Ayesha and her family repeatedly fled from their home in Atareb during times of bombardment to safer areas, where they would stay for months until they could return. One of her sons was killed in 2019, and she’s been taking care of his two young children since.

But, she said, “in 12 years of war, we never tasted terror and pain like that night” of the earthquake.

When the quake hit before dawn on Feb. 6, Ayesha and her family managed to get out of her building as part of it collapsed. They stood in the cold, pouring rain, looking at the destruction in disbelief.

The building next door was completely flattened, killing many of those inside -- including a woman who had just given birth, the baby, her seven other kids and her mother, who had arrived just hours earlier to help with the newborn.

The building’s dead now lie in a mass grave on the far end of a neighboring piece of farmland. The owner of the plot donated the land because cemeteries have filled up with quake victims.

Things were already hard before the earthquake. In the opposition-held territory, 90% of the population is dependent on humanitarian assistance.

There has been no work for the men, and many of the men were handicapped in the war, she said. Some women find jobs in community service and with aid groups. Others do household crafts like making soap or sewing clothes. There are hundreds of female civil defense volunteers, many of whom participated for the first time in the rescue and search missions.

But in the largely conservative community, dominated by a group once affiliated with al-Qaida, jobs for women are not easy to come by.

Halima, a 30-year-old mother of two children, lost her husband in the early days of the war. For years, she has moved between shelters for the displaced in the northwest in search of more generous donated food baskets. The quake caused cracks in the place where she’s currently staying and she’s afraid to stay there but has nowhere else to go.

“I pray for God’s grace. Maybe someone can take care of my children,” she said Sunday as she picked donated clothes at a Turkish Red Crescent warehouse.

International aid has only trickled in for quake victims in the northwest, increasing anger at the United Nations.

The sentiment has been building for some time. Humanitarian aid to Syria, locked in one of the world’s most complex crises for years, has been among the best funded by donors. But the gap between funding and need has grown, and U.N. appeals for emergency responses have gone more than 50% unanswered. In 2021, the health sector in northwest Syria was 60% underfunded, with only $6.4 million of $23.3 million covered.

When the earthquake hit, hospitals were not only damaged by the tremors but also overwhelmed by the injured and casualties, with supplies of essential emergency kits running out. Maternity hospitals were flooded with early deliveries and complications in pregnancies.

“Mothers are still living in the streets,” said Ikram Haboush, director of the maternity hospital in Atareb. “We don’t have enough incubators for early deliveries. The situation is far from stable.”

Over the years of conflict, Syrian women have exhausted their coping strategies. A natural disaster is the last thing they were prepared for.

“We are tired,” said Ayesha.

“For 12 years, we didn’t sleep a night from fear of bombings, from air strikes, or from displacement. Now we have eternal displacement,” she said. “We are living the tragedy of all tragedies.”

6,000 Palestinians subjected to physical abuse in Syria: monitor

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 10:30:00 +0300

A human rights group has documented the names and data of more than 6,000 Palestinian refugees who have been subjected to physical abuse since the revolution erupted in March 2011.

The Action Group for the Palestinians of Syria said in a report on the occasion of the "International Day of Non-Violence" that it had monitored 4,500 cases of killing of Palestinian refugees who died due to shelling, siege, clashes, torture and drowning during attempts to flee the war, in addition to more than 1,800 cases of arrest and enforced disappearance, including 110 Palestinian refugees.

The London-based human rights group stressed that the Syrian regime has displaced thousands of Palestinian refugees from the Yarmouk and Khan al-Sheih camps towards northern Syria, amid UNRWA's abandonment of them and the cessation of its aid and agencies.

The AGPS renewed its call on the Palestine Liberation Organization and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to assume their responsibilities towards the Palestinians of Syria.

Success of Constitutional Committee needs International Consensus: Head

Zaman Al Wasl — Tue, 28 Jan 2020 12:26:29 +0300

(Zaman Al Wasl)- The latest statement by Geir O. Pederson, the UN special envoy to Syria, has expressed his hope to resume the dialogue about the Constitutional Committee, which has stirred the reaction of many concerning the Syrian issue, opening new speculation about the constitutional process.

Hadi al-Bahra, head of the Constitutional Committee of the Syrian opposition, said that the two parties have agreed on an agenda for the proceedings of the committee, with no delay nor repetition of what occurred previously. “Every delay aggravates the Syrians’ suffering and the economic deterioration.” He stated his hope for a broad regional and international consensus to push for the success of the committee’s work.

Al-Bahra also explained that nothing has changed concerning the readiness of the opposition negotiating team, and that the Negotiation Commission is overseeing the opposition’s Constitutional Committee.

The head of the Constitutional Committee has rejected the opposition that is considered by some a failure. “While we understand the pain of our people, success lies in addressing the Syrians as a whole and for the first time creating a political and popular position that represents all Syrians, in order to bridge the rift, end the bloodshed, and preserve what is left of nation’s structure in the face of a tyrannical regime that has brought the country to the brink of collapse. The committee has succeeded in providing this. We want a system of government that guarantees a free and dignified life and laws that achieve justice and democracy for all, even for those loyal to the regime, under a fair and independent judicial authority guaranteeing the rule of law. What we want is equal citizenship and a separation of powers.”

Syrians problem is not the constitution but Assad, his gang: Opposition figure

Zaman Al Wasl — Sun, 06 Oct 2019 00:22:00 +0300

(Zaman Al Wasl)- The head of the Free Aleppo Council said that the Syrian people’s problem is not constitutions, but with the head of the regime and his gang, seeking to move to a democratic civil government system.

Britta Haji Hassan told Zaman al-Wasl that the so-called constitutional committee is so far unsuccessful, with the continuous bombing, the displacement of half of the Syrian people, the arrest of hundreds of thousands, and the unknown fate that awaits everyone.

The United Nations on September 23 announced the long-awaited formation of the committee to include 150 members, split evenly between the Syrian regime, the opposition and Syrian civil society, according to AFP.

Haji Hassan, who is on an open-ended strike in France, said that the constitutional committee was only a way to buy time, pending the resolution of the military battle. He added that he was not surprised when it was formed after several Astana conferences and after the Sochi Conference, which circumvents international resolutions and absolves Assad of all the crimes he committed against the Syrian people for nine years.

“This committee is incompatible for the requirement of 75% of any decision; that is lacks legal and political expertise, not to mention lacking any mandate or popular support and therefore any kind of legitimacy,” he said.

The former local official said that the main objective of the establishment of this committee is to rehabilitate the existing system and prevent the desired political change, so it makes sense that the staff drafting of the "new" constitution do not need legal, political or representative competence. What is required is a formal committee suggesting the beginning if an era of peace, which the Russians need to confirm in order to obtain, if possible, the reconstruction permit from funding countries. Haji Hassan stressed that, “There is no peace without justice and no justice without holding the criminals accountable, starting with Assad.”

Haji Hassan concluded that an alternative solution to the Constitutional Committee already exists through international resolutions that specialized legal committees seek to implement, supporting the Syrian people through all forums, demonstrations, and all parties that stand for the revolution and Syria, “away from any sordid personal, mass, and partisan interests.”

Eight years of war in Syria have killed 560,000 people and driven half the pre-war population of 22 million from their homes, including more than 6 million as refugees to neighbouring countries.

Russia seeks to terrify White Helmets members by bombing to choke truth voice: Head

Zaman Al Wasl — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 04:01:27 +0300

(Zaman Al Wasl- Interview)- The head of the Syrian Civil Defense accused Russia of targeting the members of the rescuing group in order to eliminate witnesses of its crimes in Syria, and then downplay the importance of the evidence provided by the humanitarian organization about those crimes.

Read Saleh assured in interview with Zaman al-Wasl that the White helmets will be the first to provide evidence of the crimes committed against the Syrian people by Russia, Iran and Bashar al-Assad's militias.

He described the role of the United Nations in supporting the White Helmets as ineffective.

Eight years of war in Syria have killed 560,000 people and driven half the pre-war population of 22 million from their homes, including more than 6 million as refugees to neighbouring countries.

The full interview:

*What is White Helmets and how does it operate in areas under heavy bombardment by the regime and Russia?

The organization works in all areas that can reach despite the difficulties. Therefore, to avoid the dangers, we have organized response mechanisms and services to suit the needs of the society in times of peace and war. Syrian Civil Defense has a number of centers with trained cadres that are distributed to ensure the arrival of teams at the earliest and the safest way. Volunteers work with the principle of the preservation of life as a priority.

*What are the needs of the White Helmets and what are your difficulties?

The top priority of the organization is to ensure the security and safety of volunteers and their centers, to ensure better services to the community. Logistically, the Syrian Civil Defense is in constant need to develop its equipment, replace what is lost due to shelling and direct targeting, and access advanced equipment prohibited from importing.

As for the difficulties, as I mentioned earlier, direct targeting and double strikes are the biggest obstacle for the volunteers, in addition to the inability of international institutions to protect civilians and us.

*What is the role of the United Nations in supporting the "White Helmets"? What is your comment on the UN providing the Assad regime and Russia with hospitals and civil defense centers?

The United Nations is ineffective, so we believe there is much that can be done by the UN when talking about Syria, yet we are constantly working to keep it informed so that it can change the current reality.

As for the issue of sharing our medical centers with the Assad regime and Russia, we have previously warned against the consequences of sharing this information because of the history of the Syrian regime in targeting field hospitals, medical points, ambulances and paramedics. We witness the near daily targeting of these centers, and its consequences on the lives of civilians and their ability to continue resisting.

* Why is the Assad regime and Russia marketing you as a "terrorist" organization, and what is the danger posed by a humanitarian civil organization to a major country like Russia?

The Syrian Civil Defense serves as the first respondent to the atrocities committed by the regime and Russian forces, so we are targeted by various means. The misleading Russian media tries to downplay the evidence we give of war crimes committed by the Russian coalition against Syrian civilians, which is terrifying Russia and the regime. But, the truth will be out and we will be the first to provide evidence of their crimes for the world.

*How many civil defense centers have Russia and the Assad regime targeted, and how many victims? Why this systematic targeting?

The number of martyrs of the Syrian Civil Defense is 269 to date, and our centers have been targeted more than 380 times since establishment in 2013. Although this targeting is a war crime, it shows their insistence to target humanitarian workers and medics, in order to kill the spirit of survival in the civilians, who rely heavily on us to stay in their cities and villages. We believe that we provide services that contribute significantly to the stability of civilians.

* What is the fate of the civil defense elements who were forced to "settle" with the regime after they were cut off in Daraa and Quneitra, and how many are they?

We do not know much about the fate of the volunteers who chose to stay. We have lost contact with them, but we wish safety and security for them and their families.

*On what basis were a number of defense elements selected to enter Jordan exclusively following the invasion of Daraa and Quneitra?

There was no basis other than the personal choice of volunteers. Those who wanted to stay remained at their personal responsibility. The rest left after considerable efforts from the UN and some countries supporting our work to ensure their safety.

* Many people in the south accused the Civil Defense of negligence during the invasion of Daraa. What is the reason, and what have you done to remedy this in the liberated north?

Without taking into account the logistical issues we face on a daily basis, it may seem to some that we have fallen short, but I can confirm that we have done everything we can to be with our people in Daraa, as we do everywhere we can reach.

* What is the role of the White Helmets in Turkey and opposition-controlled areas, especially in Ghosn Zeitoun and Dera Al-Furat?

We do not differentiate between Syrian cities, we work everywhere in the same way and always hope to improve our work, but of course the nature of the services we provide in relatively safe areas is different from those in areas that are within military operations. Our main goal is to facilitate the lives of Syrians wherever they are. For example, we are conducting street cleaning campaigns, strengthening electricity and water networks in safe areas, opening closed roads, and helping to provide primary medical services to women and children, as well as many other services, because these places are somewhat safe.

* How do you see the fate of civil defense if Russia and Assad take control of Idlib province?

It is difficult to answer this question and we hope that we will not reach this scenario. But I think the question should be about the fate of the three and a half million civilians residing in the province.

*What is the level of cooperation between the White Helmets and the International Committee of the Red Cross?

Currently, there is no cooperation between the two organizations, yet we look forward to building a good relationship that serves civilians. We also provide our staff with the expertise of a large organization such as the ICRC.

Trump 'does not want' to turn up financial pressure on Assad regime via Caesar Act- Interview

Zaman Al Wasl — Fri, 17 May 2019 16:52:13 +0300

On the U.S. Caesar Act that seeks turn up the financial pressure on Bashar Assad and his regime, Zaman al-Wasl has interviewed Samir Seifan, a prominent Syrian Economist, to shed the light on most controversial issues of the Syrian economy.

Dr. Samir Seifan is a and the President of Syrian Management Consultants Association. He is Managing Partner of Arab Development Centre.

Full interview:

The cost of living in Syria is getting worse unprecedentedly, over the past eight years. Many observers, whether pro-regime or even neutral, are linking this bad situation to serious US actions to block Bashar Assad's regime.

How do you see the upcoming developments of cost of living and services in Syria? Do the regime and its Iranian and Russian allies have the means to circumvent the path of sanctions and the escalating siege, and find alternatives to bring fuel and foodstuffs to the internal market, or do they agree with those who expect the situation in Syria to deteriorate into a situation? Has not been seen by the Syrians before, perhaps more than a century ago?

First of all, the living standards of the low-income Syrians and the poor are the first result of the eight-year conflict, because the conflict has destroyed the wheel of production and the sources of income to finance the war machine rather than development.

The economic, political and diplomatic sanctions that began with the Arab League sanctions in November 2011, through the ongoing American and European sanctions, all have a significant impact on resources and living standards.

This suffering includes a big part of the Syrians. I exclude the suffering of the upper and middle ruling elite, businessmen, part of the middle class, because a part of it has deteriorated to poverty. I also exclude the beneficiaries of the government apparatus, gangs of kidnappings, theft and trading. In addition to groups who were or are still in the opposition area of control, and their armed factions of corrupt who exploited the situation to achieve small or large wealth, and turned a large number of faction leaders to jihadists corrupt.

But all categories that do not suffer from difficult living conditions are less than 20% of the Syrian people, while 80% of the Syrians are suffering from poverty and extreme poverty, including elements in the army and even security and in the administrative system and others.

Recently, after the regime regained control of additional areas outside its control, with the support of Russian aviation and Iranian militias, the suffering of the majority of Syrians increased rather than be released, as promoted by the regime's media.

This is frightening the regime because it sends a message that the continuation of the crisis of living is linked to the continuation of the system itself, unless there is a change according to a political solution that satisfies the majority of Syrians. As the argument used to justify the difficult situation is to fight "terrorism", but isn’t "terrorism"?

The most fearful part of the crisis is fuel issue. Houses needs energy from electricity, gas and fuel, public services, transport, schools, hospitals and others depend on it, and the production facilities from simple agriculture to large factories need energy, even the civil and military state machine. All are working on energy sources.

I believe that the really bad living situation in recent months is linked to two major causes:

The first is the decline of resources. The expansion of the regime's control of additional areas in Syria such as Eastern Ghouta suburbs, Qalamoun al-Sharqiya, Daraa and the Syrian desert towards Deir al-Zor and the borders of Raqqa has increased its burdens, while the cessation of support has stopped.

Also the cut off support provided to the areas that the regime regained control, all contributed to the shrinking of resources and reduced the supply of the dollar in the markets, causing the increase in the price, and the stop of the Kurdish "BYD" forces, under pressure from the Americans worsen the crisis.

The regime produces around 25,000 barrels while it needs about 140,000 barrels.

The second reason is that Syria is actually used as a pressure tool by both the Russians and the Iranians, who are competing for control of the regime and the confiscation of its decision.

Iran is pressing to respond to its demands, increasing its influence in Syria, while the Russians want the same and want to introduce a minimum of amendments that attract parties from the moderate opposition to convince the Americans and Europeans and some Arabs to support the solution of reconstruction, because the Americans, Europeans and some Arabs are weakening the political solution as a condition to contribute to reconstruction, and Syria without reconstruction is a burden and a political failure for the Russians.

There are different views on the political system nature in the constitution and how to conduct the referendum and elections, between the regime and Iran and Russia.

Q- The exchange rate of the Syrian pound has recently fallen dramatically to the lowest level in two years.

Many observers believe that this slow decline since last September will continue, and may accelerate, with the tightening of sanctions and the expected siege on the regime, along with increased need of internal market, therefore, more pressure on the foreign exchange reserves available of the regime’s government.

Q- So how do you expect the decline of the exchange rate of the Syrian pound, will we be in front of an unprecedented decrease? Or does the regime have mechanisms to deal with such issues. Do you think that the regime sees a decline in the exchange rate? Has this decline an interest on him, as some observers accuse him of?

Despite the circumstances, the regime was able to maintain its civil and military machinery and maintain life in the areas that remained under its control.

This was aided by several factors, such as stopping investment spending in the public budget, using the general reserve and obtaining credit facilities from Iran, while Russia provided the needs of arms and ammunition.

These are all debts accumulated by Syria in the future, whatever the regime. As well as the relief provided by the United Nations. In addition, the withdrawal of large areas under its control has reduced the need to spend on them, and the displacement of millions to neighboring countries have removed the burden of their salaries and spending on their services, and thus could continue.

However, after the return of its control over large areas, additional burdens have increased, without any resources due to the destruction of these areas, and the displacement of a large part of the population, the impact of the return negatively on the financial situation and the conditions of life for all Syrians.

Over the past eight years, the regime succeeded in making the exchange rate of the Syrian pound against foreign currencies and the dollar in particular slow.

Recently, the dollar has jumped above the 500 SYP today, which is around 570 Syrian pounds per dollar.

This makes life for most Syrians inside Syria even more difficult. I do not think the regime has an interest in reducing the purchasing power of the Syrian pound. The situation is expected to be worsening unless Russia or Iran accelerates to support the regime.

I believe that Iran and Russia will not allow the regime to fall under economic pressure and will provide the regime with what it needs with the minimum limits that preserve its survival, regardless of making these submissions conditional.

On the other hand, Syria is open to Iraq and Lebanon and Iran can supply Syria with Iraq or even Lebanon with some of its needs, but its capacity today is weaker and weaker if the United States is to prevent the export of any Iranian oil.

Russia also does not want to pay any money outside the operation of its military machine and the formation of military forces under its command.

Finally, as for the Caesar act, Trump would not sign it to not stifle the regime more.

Icchiku Yamada, human rights advocate stands with Syria: Interview

Zaman Al Wasl- Ethar Abdul Haq — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 19:24:00 +0300

Zaman al-Wasl has interviewed Icchiku Yamada, a Japanese researcher and founder of the organization “Stand with Syria Japan” who assured that his people have experienced the horrors of war and have suffered from its pains, so they will never stop standing by and supporting the Syrians until they gain the freedom for which they are fighting.

Yamada, who currently continues to prepare his master’s degree in Human security at the University of Tokyo, and who is closely interested in the Syrian revolution following its recent developments, was first introduced to the Syrian revolution when he was still in high school in Paris by following the peaceful demonstrations of the Syrians on television. He was touched by the scene of young people, like himself, demanding freedom, justice and dignity, which all human beings yearn for.

“I knew that the value of life lies in keeping your dignity but I never imagined that some people are still deprived of it under tyrannical rulers. Following the faces of the Syrians and their demonstrations on the screen, I felt there was a voice calling me to partake in realizing these demands and supporting this revolution. Since then, the Syrian revolution has become my own case and my duty is to support it.

Yamada asserted that in the past few years he has witnessed many scenes of death, and that he confused with the pain of the Syrians which he felt, at a certain point, as his own. He said: “I feel that my freedom will remain incomplete until the day the Syrians get theirs; I have no power over this feeling. And it doesn’t matter that the country is 9000 kilometers away from Japan.”

Yamada spoke with dismay about the Japanese media’s biased adoption of the news, and about the views of experts and analysts who stand largely in Bashar al-Asad's line, which makes the public inclined to sympathize with the regime and its propaganda. The thing that is yet more shocking is the Japanese government’s support of the regime through its contribution to the so called “reconstruction” launched by Assad.

But the founder of "Stand with Syria Japan", known as the SSJ, says his organization has succeeded to a significant extent in bringing about changes in the Japanese public opinion on the Syrian issue by organizing several public events that have captured the attention of the local media; lectures in several universities around Syria have also played a role.

Hence the Japanese public has had the chance to get a different perspective, the perspective of the truth supported by the tragic but deeply human stories of the Syrians, as opposed to the hollow vision presented by either international politics or national interests.

With every event organized by the SSJ, as claimed by its founder, the organization received positive reactions and phrases such as: "I really didn’t know what was going on in Syria, and didn’t know that there were human beings just like us, suffering to this day merely to live as human and dignified beings."

"I felt their pain and felt their hope; something I could never have experienced through Japanese media" .

Yamada expressed his conviction that the voices that seem few today will increase tomorrow, to weave a Japanese public speech that will rise the Syrian case above what is perceived as correct and that will drive those in power to take a firm stand once and for all against the criminal Assad regime.

Yamada saw it as natural for the Japanese media to lose interest in the Syrian matter as its focus was mainly driven to the military side of the war (Attacks, battles, bombing), not the real and deepest face of the disaster. Hence, the decline of hostilities reflected the decline of interest. Yet there are hundreds of people coming in big number to the events that we organize till this day, expressing how deeply touched they are by the stories and testimonies they hear. Our organization realized that one of its tasks in this field is to keep Syria unforgettable and ever present in the minds of people, and that is exactly what we are doing.

As for the difficulties facing Yamada and his team, the Japanese activist describes them as complex and varied, especially that SSJ is the only organization in Japan that adopts the views of the Syrian revolution and propagates them in the country amidst a group of organizations that promote the regime and its propaganda. He added: “can you imagine that because of our support for the Syrian revolution, we’ve been accused of supporting the terrorists, and I’ve personally came under pressure from the Russian embassy because of my pro-revolutionary activities.

In addition, the organization suffers from financial and time-related difficulties. My team and I continue our university studies; hence we do not have the means to organize events that are able to reflect all aspects of the Syrian issue. Our task also requires complete devotion which is hard for us as university students to provide. Not to mention that we have to be extremely careful due to our legal pursuits over terrorist supporting charges especially when we raise funds and collect donations.”

“The difficulty that remains the hardest”, he adds, “is how to reach out to Syria and its neighboring countries. Their recognition of our activities is what is most important to us as an organization. Communication with Syrians remains by far the hardest difficulty.”

Although the age of "SSJ" does not exceed a year and a half which is born in the spring of 2017, Yamada says that his actual work in favor of the Syrian revolution began in 2014, when he was in London, where he came into direct contact with Syrians, through his activity in an organization that helps them.

"I met some Syrian families in London and that’s when I realized the difficulty of the situation in Syria," recalls Yamada. "I saw the film" Return to Homs," directed by Talal Dirki, which changed the course of my life to 180 degrees. I realized that people like me, of flesh and blood, are being slaughtered simply because they are demanding to live with dignity, and I felt that the film's heroes (Abdul Baset al-Sarout and Osama al-Habaly
) were asking me, "Why are you still ignoring our voices ?!"

Ever since that day, I’ve started communicating with Dirkie, and early in 2016 I managed to organize the first public activity around Syria, gathering about 250 people, and continued to organize similar events, relying on my personal efforts, except for some help I got from a few friends on the day of execution.

As the days went by, I felt the responsibility of the task weigh on my shoulders, and I have to look for partners that help me to continue and develop the events. And that’s how the SSJ was born, whose crew is still few but whose collaborators and sympathizers are multiple among which we name : director Talal Derki
, journalist Zaina Erhaim, White Helmets organization member Ismail al-Abdullah

Aeham Ahmad, photojournalist Rami al-Sayed, Ahmad Abu Shaar, a cofounder of the relief organisation.

In addition to these Syrian individuals, Yamada says a huge audience of Syrians heard about and appreciated our efforts and campaigns, even though there is no direct contact between us: Demonstrators raised a sign of thanks to our organization during one of Idlib's recent demonstrations in response to our solidarity with them in the face of threats of invasion and annihilation. And I think that a large number of Syrians were touched by the sight of a

group of Japanese students holding signs of solidarity with Idlib as a result of a campaign organized by the SSJ.

This gives me and my organization immense pleasure because we are not only trying to introduce the Japanese people to what is happening in Syria, but also to show the Syrians that there are people in the far end of the world who are in solidarity with them, who are supporting their revolution that calls for freedom and dignity, and who are resisting all kinds of tyranny that the Syrians are exposed to, especially the tyranny of Bashar Assad.”

In conclusion, the founder of the SSJ did not forget to praise the Zaman al-Wasl in its coverage, which he described as excellent, stressing that he follows its English version and supports its clear and the unbiased editorial line in adopting the aspirations of all Syrians to achieve dignity and freedom and to oppose all forms of injustice.

Border Force seeks no divide in Syria, Turkish offensive immoral: Co-head of Democratic Council- Interview

Zaman Al Wasl — Fri, 19 Jan 2018 23:08:01 +0300

(Zaman Al Wasl)- Co-chairman of the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) Riad Darar rejected the idea that the "border security forces" that the Washington-led International Coalition intends to establish in Syria is means to divide Syria.

The International Coalation against Islamic State announced on Sunday that " it is working in cooperation with the armed factions under his team in Syria to form a new security force for deployment on the Syrian border with Turkey and Iraq and eastern Euphrates."

Riad Darar told Zaman al-Wasl that "the forces that will be trained are about 30,000, whose goal is to protect all borders from the return of terrorists and their entry into the areas after being expelled from them. Many terrorists enter through the Iraqi or Turkish borders and some are in areas controlled by factions.

He added, "terrorism can return in one way or another to sabotage in the border areas, and so protecting these areas after the liberation from Islamic State is security necessity. He noted that "these areas need protection because it will begin reconstruction and reconstruction of infrastructure and there are diplomats and politicians who will come and they need protection. Reconstruction work will be great and development of areas so that population can return. So the area can be in service of future Syria when settlement will take place and there is no other intention to form any security force aiming for division of Syria.

Regarding the media escalation between the United States and Russia, where the latter vowed to take the "appropriate response" to the formation of the United States "border security force," Riad Darar said, "I think that the objective of this escalation is to draw the boundaries of the relationship between the existing forces in Syria especially Russia and the United States. Both are escalating to draw the boundaries to counter the other party. The regional forces Iran and Turkey stand with Russia."

"After the elimination of Islamic State, it was certain that the confrontation will happen and it has started," said Co-chairman of (SDC).

Concerning the Turkish military escalation towards Afrin, Riad Darar said, “ Turks are escalating in order to gain their share of the Syrian cake, Afrin does not threaten them and all the forces in it is to protect them from attacks by factions that threatened more than once in Aleppo or Afrin Kurdish areas. Turkey wants to control using its model of Islamic ideology and it is rejected. This model has always been a subject and has not worked clearly for a unified Syria. The Islamist factions seek to commit to partition away from the unified Syrian model.

Darar said the factions are connected with the Turkish interests and tried to promote Turkey inside Syria and this is unacceptable, noting that the current Turkish escalation toward Afrin does not carry a green light for entry, and if they entered there will be a confrontation not less than Kobani. This is not in Turkey's interests neither morally nor militarily, and I think it will be a loser."

At the same time, he stressed that "every escalation will be met with escalation and every freeze for killing will be greeted with understanding and stop bloodshed anywhere."

On the other hand, Riad Darar denied (SDC) has received an official invitation to attend Sochi Conference.

"We also have not received direct invitations, there are personal invitations to some individuals, there is no call for the Syrian Democratic Forces by name," adding that the ceremonial form of Sochi is aimed at the Russian elections and to announce a form of victory attributed to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Darar clarified.

"What can be produced by Sochi is the formation of two committees; one for the constitution and another for the elections, and this could be done without this festive form," he said. "We cannot say that Sochi is the place of success of the political process in Syria in any way." (By Hussein al-Zoubi)

Opposition negotiator reveals Astana talks, detainees fate- Interview

Zaman A Wasl — Sun, 07 Jan 2018 19:08:01 +0300

(Zaman Al Wasl)- Head of the opposition's Astana delegation, expected that the next round of consultations will achieve progress on the issue of detainees hinting at the Russian seriousness about this issue.

In an interview with Zaman al-Wasl, Dr. Ahmed Tu'mah said that Iranians are the most obstructive regarding the detainees file. He noted that noting that they are drowning the negotiations in details to evade dealing with this issue.

Tu'mah called on human rights organizations to do more on the detainees file, that the regime claims that there are not defined lists of detainees. In the following, we present the details of the interview.

- What is your feedback on the 8th round of Astana?

The most important positive remarks on the 8th round of the Astana consultations is that there are now specific topics on the table being discussed, especially the issue of detainees and ensuring their release. In this round there was extensive work on the issue of releasing the detainees, so when there was a consensus about my presidency of the Astana delegation, I began to study the files, and I found that the most important file where pressure can be applied is the detainee file.

We have spoken extensively and in a focused manner with the Russian and American sides and even with the United Nations about the need to make progress on this file. We had sessions with these delegations. Of course, the Turkish side strongly supports us in this file.

- Did you feel the Russians are serious about the issue of detainees?

I expect that Russia wants to make progress in this file, and it wants to push the Iranians specifically to be flexible about this issue, especially since this issue can push the political process in Syria.

- Have you talked to the Russian side about the details?

Yes, of course, we told them that if you want to move forward with the political process, something must be presented and this is either releasing the detainees, lifting the siege on the besieged areas or increasing the areas of de-escalation.

- What is the issue of the next round?

In the next round, we have the opportunity to put more pressure about the issue of detainees although we did this in the previous round as well and adopting the formation of the working group on the issue detainees.

- What is the Iranian position on the issue of detainees?

The Iranians have been evading deciding the mechanism of for releasing the detainees for several months. Since May, for the first time, a mechanism was put forward for the release of the detainees under the observation of the United Nations to achieve the release of the detainees. Since then, the Iranians have been obstructing it [the mechanism] by various means. One of these means is to sink the other parties in details of other topics, for example, entering into the details about the de-escalation areas to waste time.

Do you expect the detainees to be released?

I expect that, and we hope that we will achieve this in the next round. What has been reached is adopting a special working group on the subject of detainees. It is considered a positive point as the regime will not be able to evade this issue. Next time we will enter into details such as the lists of detainees and the mechanisms to release them, the involvement of the Red Cross in this issue and it is in our interest to involve them [Red Cross] so that the organization can enter prisons of both sides and enter the prisons and security branches.

- Do you have full details about all detainees?

The Syrian human rights organizations have all these details, and in turn, we have lists.

- How many detainees are there according to your data?

I do not have a specific number and this is a dilemma as some organizations that have accurate figures do not give them promptly or according to particular conditions.

- The subject of detainees is a humanitarian issue that concerns all Syrians. What is

required of the organizations?

Cooperation among all human rights organizations to develop standardized and detailed lists. One of the arguments we face is that the lists submitted are not detailed, and some organizations fear that the regime will execute the prisoners.

- Do you expect to that Sochi will be held according to Russian wishes?

Russia is in dire need of the approval of many international and regional parties, and here is another question: Are the Russians holding the conference alone without consensus with Turkey, the United Nations and some regional countries, other than the United States. It is correct the United States of America has no desire to impose everything it wants, but at the same time, they can easily sabotage what they do not agree with.

- Have the invitations been sent out?

No invitation has been made so far, but some people have been invited, but informally, where they were asked if they were ready to go and they agreed and considered this scene an official invitation to the conference.

- What is the role of the political leaders in the administration of Deir Ez Zor after the demise of the Islamic State?

This is one of the points that we had much hope in and in Astana we spoke about increasing the number of de-escalation areas and adding Deir Ez Zor and al-Raqqah, but this did not receive any response from the Russians.

In my view, local leaders do not have the opportunity to work in these areas because there are areas under the control of the regime, and under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces. So local councils cannot be organized that will be independent and particular to the people of the city as they cannot reach it.

- The debate today is about the survival of al-Assad. Do you think there is a chance of him remaining?

Al-Assad will not remain in power, and there will be no political transition in his presence.

- Some say you are inclined to al-Assad remaining in the transitional phase?

I did not make any statement of this kind. The solution in Syria will not be the presence of al-Assad because -to put it briefly- he is the origin of the Syrian problem.

Cairo-based opposition will not attend dialogue congress in Sochi: Interview

Zaman A Wasl- Hussein Al Zoubi — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 19:08:01 +0300

(Zaman Al Wasl)- Head of the National Coordination Committee, said that the current negotiating body to Geneva and the Coordination Committee reject attending the Syrian Dialogue conference in Sochi at the end of January.

Hassan Abdul Azim said in a statement to Zaman al-Wasl that this is the position so far. He explained about the ninth round of the Geneva Talks, which was scheduled by the UN envoy Staffan de Mistura for January 22, 2018.

The ninth round aimed at ensuring the unity of the opposition and revolutionary forces, learning the international positions towards the Sochi conference, learning if there is agreement or a lack of agreement about holding the conference, if the United Nations and the UN Envoy will participate or not, and if the conference will involve discussing the release of detainees, lifting the siege on areas, cementing truces and supporting the political solution developed in Geneva or will there be an alternative about for it.

The head of Cairo Platfom said, “After this apparently and in light of the upcoming meeting between the negotiating body and de Mistura and the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, either the situation remains the same or it will change.” He continued stressing that until now the negotiating body and the coordinating committee reject the Sochi conference.

“The ninth round of the Geneva negotiations, to be held before the Sochi conference, will be a test of the regime and Russia delegations’ positions,” said Abdul Azim.

The eighth round of the Geneva negotiations ended on December 14, 2017, and the UN envoy accused the regime's delegation of foiling that round of negotiations. Regarding that round of negotiations, Abdul Azim said the regime had “missed a golden opportunity” because of its refusal to talk to the opposition.

He said that although the opposition was represented for the first time by a united delegation in Geneva, “we did not see genuine negotiations. He added, “I have to say that the opposition did that.”

In the last round of the Geneva negotiations, the UN envoy informed the opposition delegation of the need to be “realistic.” The UN envoy reminded the opposition delegation that they had lost international support and warned that the failure to achieve a breakthrough on the issue of the constitution would make the opposition’s position very weak during the Sochi Conference.

De Mistura said that “it will disappear and be lost there.” Observers described this as an attempt to pressure the opposition to participate in Sochi. However, Yahya Aridi, the opposition spokesperson denied this at the time, saying “I think the UN envoy wants to succeed, and when Geneva succeeds the UN Envoy succeeds, and the United Nations and its resolutions succeed. I do think he that will allow him to market any other event done anywhere else, the place is Geneva.”

The main components of the opposition are refusing to attend Sochi. The secretary of the political body of the National Coalition, Yahya Maktabi, said in a press statement earlier that Russia is not qualified to sponsor a conference aimed at bringing peace to Syria. He pointed out that during the eight round of the Geneva negotiations, Russia rejected pressure placed on the regime to engage in direct negotiations.

He added that Russian aircrafts continue to assist the regime in targeting civilians and residential neighborhoods.

As a confirmation of this position, some 40 military factions, including Jaish al-Islam and Ahrar al-Sham movement, issued a joint statement in which they categorically rejected the Sochi conference. The Southern Front adopted the same position, while the Syrian Islamic Council issued a statement rejecting the Sochi conference and considered that those who participate in Sochi “will be committing political suicide.”

Several factions, some of which participated in previous rounds of the Geneva negotiations, said that Russia is seeking to circumvent the UN-sponsored peace process in Geneva and to renew its commitment to reaching a political solution according to the statement of Geneva one and the related international resolutions, including resolutions 2254 and 2218.

Last Friday, Russia, Turkey and Iran- the guarantors of the cease-fire agreement in Syria- agreed at the end of the eighth round of the Astana negotiations to hold the Syrian National Dialogue Conference on 29 and 30 January.

Kilo: whoever accept Russia's preconditions for Sochi is a traitor- Interview

Zaman Al Wasl — Mon, 25 Dec 2017 10:07:02 +0300

(Zaman Al Wasl)- The prominent opposition dissident Michel Kilo confirmed that the planned Syrian National Dialogue Congress in Russia’s Sochi at the end of January will not result in anything since its a Russian pretext to keep Bashar al-Assad in power.

In an interview with Zaman al-Wasl, Kilo said whoever from opposition platforms goes to Sochi under the Russian conditions and without guarantees from the International Community will be considered a traitor.

On Sunday,the Russian Foreign Ministry said it is preparing the list of participants at the Dialogue Congress. The ministry also said that they will not allow Sochi to become an arena pro-Assad leaving. Continuation of the former only supports the opposition’s desire to continue an armed conflict, the ministry added.

Regarding the transitional period dilemma, Kilo voiced his support for the leadership of ex-Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa for the transitional stage, pointing out that the terms of the transitional period must provide for the international will and then the regional will.

The full interview:

- Do you think that Farouk al-Sharaa, as it is rumored, is capable of managing a stage fraught with regional and international complexities other than the entrenchment of the centers of the security forces in power?

No one can manage the transitional period without international support, whether from the United Nations or consensus among the major powers, and it is not necessarily with all regional powers, such as Iran. No one can agree with it [Iran] because they did not come to Syria to help al-Assad or anyone else but to integrate Syria into the Shiite axis and [they] consider it part of its [Iranian] sovereign entity.

And Syria will dissolve in light of the Iranian control as an independent state and society separate to the Iranian state and society. It also represents a situation that no one can manage the stage by coming to an understanding with it [Iran] because they directly manage this stage, and everyone knows that Bashar al-Assad is a toy in the hands of the Iranians and no one dares contradict them.

So, whether it is Farouk al-Sharaa or someone else, they cannot manage the stage except with international support represented by the United Nations or an understanding between the two major parties. And at the same time, this requires Arab support because the regional powers represented in Iran and Turkey each seek their own interests.

- As you mentioned, Khaled al-Mahamid and Haitham Manna are among the people who suggested al-Sharaa. Do these people have a voice that goes so far as to suggest the name of the leader for the transitional period? Is this not an exaggeration?

We each have the right to propose whomever we want, whether the person has influence or not, I can propose the Prime Minister of Canada to manage the transitional stage in Syria. Al-Sharaa as a proposal for the transitional stage is old, from 2012, and not new. Many of us believe that if the subject of al-Sharaa is raised, many will accept Farouk al-Shara, I am one of them, as a face for the transition to a temporary stage. Because if we want a democratic Syria, then we need a democratic leader and al-Sharaa left the regime and thus al-Sharaa is the right choice.

- Geneva failed and Sochi is at the door... Will something useful come out of Sochi?

Sochi based on the Russian specifications will not result in anything but will be the culmination of Russian efforts to contain all the Syrian parties after announcing the presence of 11 military bases in Syria. They contain Syria with Bashar al-Assad and his regime and today they want to contain all the other Syrian parties within the framework of going for a national unity led by Bashar al-Assad and remove the idea of a political transition from the current regime to an alternative system. And [they want] to dissolve the idea of transitioning to the opposition from the current regime as a political solution. They consider this a political solution and this transition will not be acceptable in any case.

Whoever wants to go to Sochi based on these conditions and without internationally confirmed guarantees from all parties, and not the Russians, that the outputs of Sochi will align with international resolutions will be a traitor.

At the same time, we must ask ourselves the question: What should we do if we do not go to Sochi or if we make it fail?

Not going and being united in the context of a Syrian national decision unconnected to any particular affiliation, but a Syrian national framework needs a great amount of effort to form a framework and a Syrian national decision that all participate in. When it is said that from today our reference about going to Sochi should be composed of the Coalition of the national and military forces then no one will go and those who go will be severely punished.

- What can we do to make this national decision a form of protection for Syria from crazed Russian reactions?

Sochi's failure effectively means foiling everything that the Russians have done to date and they will begin rearranging the situation with violence and murder to force the world to accept what they want.

The failure of Sochi means that what they want has failed, and therefore its failure or rejection will not be an easy issue but will require a lot of work internally to fortify our situation. We do not have enough time and we have proposed many things to fortify our situation over the past five years till today but to no avail.

I say if we do not go to Sochi and we persist in our current situation we will pay the biggest price and this does not mean that we should go as far as it means we must organize ourselves.

And if we do not go and we do not organize ourselves, we will pay an even heavier price for not organizing ourselves and not going.

- Transparently, the form and performance of the new delegation body... What is your assessment?

As long as the committee's delegation is committed to the idea of political transition as a reference to any solution, I believe that everyone should support them without looking away from them or saying that they will manage the issue.

Negotiations should be an expanded national Syrian effort with agreement about its outputs, mechanisms and stages. The aim is not to focusing the spotlight on someone or force him to do something or order him or blame him. In the end, this is called the Syrian position on negotiation.

Today while I was checking social media pages, I thought that we should form a negotiating delegation composed of 12 million people and we should keep them away from the media because they will attack each other, trade insults and accuse each other of treachery.

I have never seen such a state of chaos that has no beginning and no end and will not end well.

There are now between 10-12 million legalist, nationalists, negotiators, politicians, and propagandists. I cannot predict the results of this chaos, confusion and treachery, but no one sees your work, but all of them see you based on prior judgments.

And there are 12 million people who have nothing to do but criticize and defame. I think that this climate is not conducive for national work and will not produce national options and no one will be left with reputation nor dignity.

- There is a lack of media and leadership for Michel Kilo. Why is this the case and for how long?

I was not as present before as I am today. I joined the Coalition at a moment when there was a great shift in it from freedom to Islam, from the peaceful [movement] to the armed [struggle], from a semi-national decision to an Arab and international decision, and from a revolution of a people against its regime to an arena for broad international struggle that turned Syria through US, Russian, Iranian and other policies.

I am present in Syria as I have never been before and I have a high degree of interaction with the Syrian reality and I have confidence in Syrians and many of them share that confidence in me.

Opposition not weak, still committed to transitional period: spokesman- Interview

Zaman Al Wasl — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 16:03:27 +0300

(Zaman Al Wasl)- Spokesman for Syria's High Negotiations Committee said the opposition is not as weak as some are trying to portray it, assuring that the unity of Cairo, Moscow and Riyadh platforms has showed a concrete stance prevented the U.N. envoy from using the multiplicity of the opposition as an obstacle for moving on the Syria talks.

Dr. Yahya al-Aridi said the U.N. mediator Staffan de Mistura was practically investigated before the opposition delegation and he officially apologized to the opposition about mistreating them.

The prominent dissident and media adviser stressed that the opposition had never responded to the mistreatment with similar actions.

The full interview:

- What is new in the negotiating delegation as well as the Geneva 8 round?

Let me start with the positive aspects. After forming the Riyadh 2 delegation, this withdrew from the UN envoy de Mistura, Russia and some countries the excuse that other platforms (Moscow or Cairo) exist, and therefore in Geneva we were one delegation without any platforms, although members of the Moscow and Cairo platforms were in the Riyadh 1 delegation, but today the delegation is without platforms which is a political victory for the opposition.

Indeed, many of the differences between the platforms have been erased, and for Cairo, it can be said that there is almost complete harmony. To the point that the speech of someone like Firas al-Khalidi is more severe than my speech within the diplomatic political discourse.

The other thing is that what was agreed upon in Riyadh 2 is no less than what was agreed upon in Riyadh 1.

- As long as the situation is like this and there is this strict adherence to the principles of the negotiation then why was the delegation so strongly criticized from within the opposition?

Allow me to say that everyone who criticizes has a weak vision, as well as the fact that the critics of the new delegation have preconceived ideas and are unable to be logical.

- But (it was said) you gave up talking about the transitional period and this is the essence of the political process?

This is a false accusation, and there is no truth to it. It is enough that Bashar al-Jaafari attacked the Riyadh 2 statement. Are these people aligned with Bashar al-Jaafari, and Riyadh 1 was not attacked in the same way as Riyadh 2. Anyone who criticizes Riyadh 2 should reflect upon himself. Is the role of the delegation to enter or criticize, does this make sense? The revolution is not a job, and many of the critics were looking for a role.

- Did de Mistura really apologize for what he said that no one is with you [opposition] anymore?

* De Mistura tried to shake our confidence in ourselves in this round and tried to make us despair and pressure us by talking about Sochi and he actually said that states were no longer with us as they were before. But we did not react and continued to hold on. The next day we had a meeting with him and we presented our papers with the utmost accuracy and confidence. We subjected De Mistura to a quasi-investigation about some specific questions. He responded verbatim, “I’m an old man who cannot apologize easily, but I apologize to you.”

Is Sochi really going to replace Geneva?

I do not think Sochi is like any other conference [held so far], and from de Mistura's briefing to the Security Council it is clear that he is pushing the Security Council to adopt a position, and this is a moving current that will not be shifted. As for Sochi, it is something else.

- What are you preparing for the next stage?

Since the end of the eighth round, we are preparing our papers for the next round, and we are ready for any scenario. And in Riyadh we discussed everything related to the last round and what we should do in the next round. We are now more cohesive than before.

- Four rounds have passed since Riyadh 1, what has changed? Do not you think that you are part of the absurdism of the situation?

This is true in form, but the military situation is developing on the ground and America is retreating in Syria. At the same time, we have useful international decisions that we must hold on to, and here comes our political movement. Military force is not everything as control on the ground does not mean legitimacy. There is no legitimacy for injustice and force. Nothing grants the regime legitimacy at the current time.

- Do not you think that you are in a weak position in Geneva in the event the military balance collapses?

We may be weak in terms of military tools, but we are not weak in will, determination and the will of the right. We are now more politically and legally organized than before. Today we have the right and we will not be defeated.

We are entrusted by the Syrian people, and this negotiating delegation is not the delegation that some portray it as being. We are working for a cause and everyone is required to support and not spread despair. We will not give up a single right of the Syrian people but we must be one political and military hand.

Head of Democratic Change will not attend any conference calls for partition or federalism: Interview

Zaman A Wasl — Wed, 22 Nov 2017 16:48:57 +0300

(Zaman Al Wasl)- Head of the National Coordinating Committee for Democratic Change (NCC) said the real Syrian opposition will not attend any conference on Syria that calls for partition or federalism as is being done now.

Hassan Abdul Azim assured that Sochi Conference before changing the name was inappropriate for the Syrian people, especially as the title was "Conference of Democratic Peoples in Syria," asserting that in Syria there is one people with respect to all sects and ethnicities.

The General Coordinator pointed out that the world is no longer convinced of the Assad regime, it is known that the regime has committed crimes in Syria, indicating that the accountability comes after the transitional period.

The Full Interview:

Z: While the Riyad conference is being held, there is also the Sochi Conference. Do you see any good outcome out of these conferences?

H: The conferences that are taking place at this stage all come at a dangerous juncture for the Syrian crisis. The Riyad conference is the most sensitive at this stage. It includes the real bodies of the Syrian opposition, and let me tell you that there is international and regional support for the success of the Riyad conference. As for Sochi, some currents have suggested that we focus more on the Sochi conference than the Riyad conference, but our view was to concentrate on Riyad first to put the real compass of the Syrian opposition.

Z: What do you think of the Sochi Conference?

H: The original objective of Sochi is to jump over all achievements of the UN. The Sochi purpose is to end the transitional period and maintain the current regime in accordance with a national unity government, but what we want is the transitional period, as stipulated in all resolutions related to the Syrian crisis.

Z: What are your notes on Sochi?

H: There were notes before they changed the name of the conference. First, there are no peoples in Syria, there is only one Syrian people. It is true that there is a diversity of religious, ethnic and other groups. We respect all this diversity, but the Syrian people are one. This is a sign of division and we reject it in bulk. We will not accept any conference that aspires to divide. Syria even the federal project cannot be put forward as is the current Kurdish proposal.

Z: Are you satisfied with your share of representation at the Riyad conference?

H: The National Coordinating Committee is bigger than this, but we will not stop at this, but the share in the conference is supposed to be bigger.

Z: So we are facing a political solution?

H: We have nothing but a political solution. Talking about military solution is past now. Unfortunately, there are still people who think of overthrowing the regime. This is becoming unrealistic, and these are the Muslim Brotherhood, which is not entirely in line with the political solution.

Z: It is said that there are two currents in the High Negotiation Committee wrestling in Riyad 2. The first current totally rejects Assad remain and the second can accept Assad in the transitional period?

H: It is true that there are different opinions, but in the end, any decision taken will be through consensus.

Z: Clearly what about Assad and the conflict of the transitional period?

H: Let me clarify a very important matter. All the countries concerned with the Syrian crisis are focused on one point now: fighting terrorism, and this of course requires the survival of the Syrian army. But this does not mean acceptance of the approach of despotism, so the solution through the Transitional Governing Body, where the position of the presidency remains, and this body is also determining the features of the stage and the fight against terrorism, but of course there are objections to the survival of Assad by the High Negotiations Committee. This requires a certain formula to end this dilemma.

Z: What do you say in talking about the reproduction of the regime?

H: This is not possible in international or regional accounts, not even in the accounts of the Syrian opposition. The regime is now known to have made mistakes in Syria and all the Western countries agree on this. The accountability will not be addressed now, but after the transitional government. No one is convinced with this regime, and it can no longer survive. There must be a new mind in Syria.

Co-chairman of Kurdish-led Democratic Council says federalism is Syria's best solution: Interview

Zaman A Wasl — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 02:55:07 +0300

(Zaman Al Wasl)- The co-chairman of the Syrian National Democratic Council said that France, the U.S. and Britain have voiced their support for the reconstruction of Deir Ezzor, assuring that collaboration in Raqqa's battles has emboldened such initiative.

In an interview with Zaman al-Wasl, Riad Darrar revealed that an international conference was held in Italy, representatives of the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait participated, concerning the reconstruction of Raqqa. He also said that Saudi Arabia has a role to play in Raqqa and confirmed that what is ongoing in al-Raqqah city will also happen in Deir Ezzor.

Darrar ruled out the possibility of clashes between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the regime forces due to the US-Russian understanding and the geographical considerations since the Euphrates River separates the two forces. In the following.

Read the Interview:

Z: Deir Ezzor today is torn a part between many forces. What is your plan for this city?

D: The Deir Ezzor civil council is still under construction, and it is working hard to present an action plan to overcome what happened in Deir Ezzor after all this destruction.

Z: Do you expect clashes between the regime forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)?

D: As part of the Russian-American understanding, there can be no clash between the two sides, especially since the Euphrates River separates the two forces. Al-Jazira is now under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces and the regime forces control al-Shamiyet. If the Syrian Democratic Forces are attacked, there will be a response, but we are not in the midst of a clash with the regime.

Z: Do you think that the presence of the Syrian Democratic Forces in al-Jazira and the regime in al-Shamiyet is a normal situation and a Syrian solution?

D: This is the case in the whole of Syria, so we are heading towards working on a federal system which does not mean seceding from a united Syria. All we want is self-management for the Syrian regions, and this is what we work for at all meetings as we see that the shape of the future Syria will be federal and this must be part of the new Syrian constitution.

There is a division in influence and orientations as Idlib is under the control of the Islamists and the regime claims that it wants a useful Syria according to the rules of tyranny, and we see that the solution is federalism.

Z: If we accept the federal system then the question is: have you consulted the people?

D: In 1920, a group of Syrian intellectuals, thinkers and clerics held the Syrian Conference, and they created a federal constitutional monarchy. This federal system only changed in 1930, and the name changed. Also let me speak transparently who used to consult the Syrian people? At all stages, the Syrian people voted. And then the Baath Party constitution came, were the people consulted? And now we are calling for a federal system to put human rights before the rights of homelands. Citizenship is the borders of a country held in pledge to a single leader while today we say that people can manage their own areas. They can develop [the areas] economically without being exploited by the center and the sovereign portfolios will remain the center's share.

Z: The people we are talking about in Deir Ezzor no longer exists, so what federalism are you talking about?

D: The people of Deir Ez zor came to SDF-held areas to escape the regime which means that they chose those areas because they found safety, and therefore they chose these areas and headed to the areas of Northern Syria. We as the civil council in Deir Ezzor are working to communicate with countries for the reconstruction.

The regime came to Deir Ezzor to benefit from the resources and achieve its interests and not the interests of the Syrian people, and so here is the competition with the regime for those people who came out against the regime in 2011 to create a new life for them. I believe we will influence those people more than the regime which has been exposed to all.

Z: Are there promises or indications of international support for Deir Ezzor?

D: After the liberation of al-Raqqah, the civil council in the city took over running the affairs of the city, and they began their international communication. The Saudi minister of state even visited the province after its liberation. In Rome, the council met with 11 countries including Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates and received promises of support for reconstruction.

This applies to Deir Ez Zor, as it happens in al-Raqqah, and there are guarantor countries in the context of the reconstruction of Deir Ezzor.

Z: Who are these guarantor countries?

D: America, Germany, Britain, France and other countries.

Z: The situation in Deir Ezzor is tragic. Are there organizations providing support to civilians?

D: There are active organizations in Deir Ezzor, and they started communicating with us, but in general [the organizations] do not want to declare themselves, because of the nature of the conflict in Syria.

Z: What about the role of the tribes in Deir Ezzor?

D: Tribes are part of the social structure in Deir Ezzor, and the nature of the social structure cannot overcome the tribes. There is communication between the Syrian Democratic Council and the tribes because they will contribute to social stability. There was a tribal conference in al-Raqqah, and it played a role, and one will be held in Deir Ezzor.

Z: Do you think they have a role?

D: We cannot rid ourselves of our tribal dress, and what distinguishes these tribes is that they are educated and cultured, but this does not mean that the tribal logic will be relied on in governance and organization.

Z: What about the future of the Syrian Democratic Forces in Deir Ezzor and Raqqa?

D: These forces will be for protection and to ensure stability in these areas until these areas regain their security status.

Chief Negotiator says Russia seeks 'No Transitional Period' in Sochi conference- Interview

Zaman Al Wasl — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 13:17:02 +0300

(Zaman Al Wasl)- Chief negotiator of the opposition’s High Negotiation Committee said the ‘realism’’ is being talked about recently does not mean acceptance of Russian dictates of political solution, stressing that everyone who accepts Russian Sochi should be excluded from Riyad II.

The Russian efforts to hold Sochi Conference means the abolition of the transitional phase, which we consider the necessary path and the basic solution in Syria, but Russia wants to jump on this stage, Mohammed Sabra affirmed.

Sabra avoided taking responsibility for any Syrian opposition figures about the deviation of the negotiation process in Geneva after the debate shifted from the transitional phase to talking about the four baskets.

Z: What are the political data concerning Sochi?

S: It seems the time to hold the conference is not due yet because of the regional political circumstances around Syria. While the time for the conference was on the 18th of this month, the date was not confirmed and probably will not be on that date. Although the Russian Foreign Ministry announced that it had invited the participating parties, but the reality that everyone who participates in this conference should be excluded from the Riyadh conference.

Z: You demand to exclude whoever participates in Sochi, so what is the alternative when all tracks are off?

S: The problem of the Sochi Conference is that it wants to abolish the transitional phase. In the Geneva Declaration, we have two phases; the first phase is the transitional phase. According to the Geneva Declaration, the transitional governing body, in accordance with the provisions of Article IX (paragraph B) and the results of the national dialogue will be binding in the constitutional formula that will be presented to public referendum. According to Geneva also during the transitional period, a national Conference will be convened. Today Russia goes to what it says is a national dialogue conference without the transitional phase.

Z: But the regional political climate and even the military climate changed and you are still using old speech?

S: When the Geneva Declaration 1 was issued in 2012, the number of martyrs in Syria was less than twenty thousand martyrs, today Assad reached the stage of criminality and bloody use of all kinds of weapons against the Syrian people, including chemical weapons. Political realism says that this regime cannot coexist with Syrians after all these crimes, the Syrian regime cannot be a guarantor of the unity of the Syrians and the rebuilding of their identity. The solution in Syria must remove tension and restore to Syrians their existence. This will not happen with Assad remaining in power. Realism is not at all accepting Assad remain. Realism with the regime means division and consolidation of the status quo and this is not acceptable.

Z: So the whole problem in Syria became the transitional period. What is it important?

S: The transitional period is necessary to comfort the Syrian society and to emerge from the state of blood imposed by the regime. The attempt to produce the regime in the current form is a continuation of the internal and perhaps regional fighting. Hence our concern for the transitional phase in which all Syrians are partners in rebuilding their homeland. What is demanded is a mature environment of stability without which there cannot be a solution.

Z: But in Geneva the negotiations diverted from the transition to the four baskets. Who is responsible for that?

S: This is a framework we discuss inside the High Negotiations Committee and its organizational context. Of course, we have a structural problem in the Syrian political mentality whether opposition or regime.

Z: But there is a diversion in the course of negotiation. There is responsibility?

S: These issues are under discussion and the truth there is a transparent process in the debate and is not missing criticism and evaluation in the corridors of the High Committee for Negotiations.

Z: Is the Geneva round on January 28?

S: So far things are the same, but there are major developments in the whole regional scene, and may affect the holding of the round, and on the twentieth of this month there will be a decision on participation in the Geneva round.

Opposition lacks a leader who believes in collective and institutional work: former secretary

Zaman A Wasl — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 02:39:59 +0300

By Abdullah Ghadawi

(Zaman Al Wasl)- Former Secretary-General of the opposition's Syrian National Coalition said a joint committee of the Syrian Interim Prime Minister and al-Shamiyah Front to re-evaluate the status of Bab al-Salameh crossing, expecting there will be a new direction to open Bab al-Hawa border crossing and hand it over.

Abdul AIlah Fahd in his interview with Zaman al-Wasl hinted at the possibility of early elections in the presidency of the coalition, but he said that the important part is not the elections, but in finding a personality that believes in institutional collective action.

Fahd considered that the reform project of the president of Coalition Riad Saif is progressing slowly, while the stage requires more dynamics, explaining that the decision to engage factions in the coalition took s long time.

Z: Coalition today is absent from the scene, What is (SNC) doing?

F: Currently, there is no development within the coalition at the administrative or organizational level. Political work has no role as the High Committee for Negotiations is the one that advances the political scene through the Geneva consultations, but in this period, it is expected that the coalition will have a role in a political work that has a broad participation of all blocs and spectra.

Z: How do you see the work of the coalition presidency after the launch of a reform project?

A: In the beginning, there was no clear project for the presidency of the coalition, and the ambition of the President of the coalition Riyad Saif was great, and nothing was achieved from this project. We can say the reform project was very slow and there were hesitations in taking many decisions.

Z: What kind of decisions?

A: Like the project to re-engage factions in the coalition which took a long time and many other decisions.

Z: What about the representation of factions in the coalition?

A: At the last meeting of the General Secretariat, the participation of the factions in the coalition was voted on, and at the next meeting of the Secretariat on November 8, the representation of the factions will be discussed. But what happened was that the Syrian Interim Government reshuffled the Ministry of Defense and the Staff, and therefore the entry of factions, which are 15 factions and they must go through the General Staff.

Z: What is the role of the coalition supposed to be?

A:The coalition in its establishment was the most convincing representative for the states, and in fact its role is all the roles played by other parties, in the sense that the work of the coalition originally is the work of the High Committee for Negotiations and the work of factions, but when the states saw that the coalition does not show flexibility in terms of the political solution, the other institutions were founded. World states wanted the coalition to make decisions according to what fit them.

The High Committee for Negotiations and Astana emerged, but originally, the coalition should have been the one performing all these roles even now the coalition is the link between all these formations, but politically it has no role.

Z: Do not you think that the exaggerations of criticizing the coalition are unfair and unjust?

A: The truth is that there is an exaggeration. On the political course, it is impossible to deny that the coalition is politically deficient, but the bulk of the political side is the responsibility of the International Community.

On the internal Syrian local level, the coalition has erred in this area. It has not built institutions at home, or at least follow-up committees with the local councils, which are the link between the coalition and the revolutionary forces in Syria.

-Early Elections-

Z: There is talk about early elections in the coalition. Do you think they are useful now?

A: The president of the coalition said at the beginning of his presidency that he came for a reform project, and will leave when this project ends, but to date these ambitions have not been achieved, and there may be early elections.

Z: Are you with these early elections?

A: Whoever the person is who will lead the coalition, it is important to work collectively and this is what builds the coalition.

Z: The step to hand over the crossing to the Interim Government raised the morale of Syrians to a certain extent, who contributed to this?

A: The effort is made by the Shamiya Front and the Syrian Interim Government, and there was long work and consultations with the Turkish government, and the coalition had no role in this matter.

Z: What is the importance of opening the crossing?

A: There is a significant value in opening the crossing as well as economic value in the long run. The government has established a special administration for the crossings, and it is expected that there will also be work in the direction of the Bab al-Hawa crossing.

Z: What comes after the opening of the crossing?

A: There will be a joint committee of the Interim Government and the Shamiya Front to study the status of the crossing and establish an organizational structure for the administration and organize its work in the near future.

FSA Commander Urges Tahrir Al-Sham to Handover Sites to Turkey

Mon, 09 Oct 2017 13:30:37 +0300

(Zaman Al Wasl)- Head of the Political Office of the Mu'tasim Brigade, key rebel group in the Turkish-backed Euphrates Shield, hoped the former al-Qaeda branch will handover the observation points to the Turkish army to implement the ceasefire deal to avoid any military escalation.

Mustafa Segri pointed out that the US is backing the Turkish operation in northern Syria, but it has not provided military support so far.

Early Monday, Turkish troops began reconnaissance activities in Idlib as part of an international agreement to establish de-escalation zones, Anadolu Agency said.

The operation in the northwestern region, which borders Turkey’s Hatay province, was launched on Sunday under a deal agreed with Russia and Iran during the Astana peace talks.

The Interview:

Z: What is your role as (FSA) faction in Euphrates Shield in the forthcoming operations in Idlib?

S: What we are doing today in Idlib is a rescue operation for the city and to protect people and to stop foreign projects and the attack and destruction on the city under pretext of fighting terrorism.

This is done through the joint operations room between us and the Turkish ally. (FSA) is the lead in the field and military operations like in the Euphrates Sheiled operation and the same scenario will be repeated in Idlib if necessary. The mission of Turkish brothers is to provide logistical support and air coverage if we had to combat.

Z: Do you think the outcome of the forthcoming operations in Idlib and removal of Tahrir al-Sham will serve the interest of Russia and Iran?

S: Certainly putting an end to al-Nusra Front serves the interest of the Syrian people and its blessed revolution, especially after al-Nusra proved in conclusive evidence conspiring against the Mujahideen and the rebel factions in favor of the Iranian project and became one of the tools of the enemies of the Syrian people.

We should not forget what al-Nusra did whether assaulting factions, stealing weapons of the Mujahideen, , cutting roads, seizing the headquarters, refusing to resort to Sharia, and tarnishing the reputation of the sons and leaders of the revolution. By ending al-Nusra control, we have cut the road to projects aspiring to expand and divide Syria with international support.

Z: It is possible the role of (FSA) will be neutralized in Idlib and you might be excluded from participating in shaping the future of this city. In such a scenario, what would be your position?

S: There is no one capable of neutralizing (FSA) and preventing it from imposing its control over Idlib and protecting its people, including Turkey. Turkey would not have intervened if (FSA) is not there. We do not deny the good and support Turkey has given to us. What al-Nusra media is spreading that there is cooperation between al-Nusra and Turkey to prevent (FSA) from entering is pure lies and illusions, and deceiving their naive fighters. We do not accept that the operations are depicted as mere Turkish will, but it is a Syrian will and Syrian interest in the first place.

Z: You are close to the United States? Did they contact you and are they ready to provide military support?

S: The American side contacted us and informed us of their support for the operation, and did not talk about any military support or air coverage.

Z: What about Russian coverage of operations in Idlib?

S: The media reported that there is an agreement on Russian air cover for military operations. We totally deny this, and we said that Russia is an occupying state that supports terrorism and we cannot cooperate with Russia at all.

Z: What if Tahrir al-Sham decided to combat in Idlib?

S: (FSA) will carry out a wide deployment and re-establish control and end al-Nusra control and hand over the Turkish ally observation points in order to stabilize the ceasefire, according to the outputs of Astana 6. We are working to achieve this without any military confrontations on the ground. If al-Nusra decided to attack and obstruct the deployment and prevent the Turkish ally from setting up observation points, it will be answered directly, but whoever stays at home is safe and whoever enters the mosque is safe. (By Abdullah Ghadawi)

Western officials disappoint opposition over Assad's future: Interview

Tue, 03 Oct 2017 01:06:26 +0300

By Abdullah Ghadawi

(Zaman Al Wasl)- Representative of the Syrian National Coalition in Washington has revealed the outcomes of the opposition’s High Negotiation Committee visit with Western officials followed the Regular Session of the U.N. General Assembly in September.

Najib Ghadban said the European Union general coordinator, Federica Moghrini, appeared more lenient with the Assad regime by proposing the reconstruction project of Syria in regime-controlled areas. He is still hard on Assad. Al-Ghadban confirmed that the American stance regarding Assad is still strict.

He pointed out that Russia has not changed its stance concerning political process in Syria, indicating that it still considers Assad stay in the transitional period and even Assad run for the presidential elections.

More in the interview:

Z: How do you evaluate the public relations tour conducted by the delegation of the High Committee for Negotiations in New York?

N: A good and important tour in emphasizing the position of the committee of the fundamentals of the revolution, and we felt inflexibility in the American stance and some leniency in the European stance while the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Gavusoglu stressed the stability of the Turkish position on Syria as well.

Z: Has the committee received promises of assistance and support from the United Nations, the European Union or other countries?

N: There was no direct financial support for the High Committee for Negotiations, but some EU organizations confirmed that they will continue to support even in areas controlled by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

Z: Everyone is wondering about the American stance regarding Syria. What is the truth of this stance?

N: I do not think that the American stance has weakened in Syria. Washington stressed that the reconstruction project, which is being talked about by the EU general coordinator Federica Mogherini is linked to the political transition in the last meeting of "friends of Syria" in New York. However, Moghrini stance is lenient towards working on reconstruction as a start in regime-controlled areas.

Z: Did America authorize Russia in Syria?

N: There is official basis for this perception, but there are analyzes which considers this to be true and in terms of the American position and through our follow-up to what is happening here in Washington, on the contrary, Washington has a firmer position regarding Assad.

Z: In your opinion, what is America's strategy in Syria?

N: I think Washington wants to exhaust all Syrian forces to impose a solution. It does not want to pay a heavy price in the Syrian conflict, except for its priority to fight ISIS.

Z: Could there be American-Iranian-Russian coordination in Syria?

N: This is unlikely in the United States, they can work together with Russia in Syria, but with Iran it does not seem possible especially as U.S. President Donald Trump began to escalate against Iran in his last speech at the General Assembly.

Z: What about tracking down the symbols of the regime involved in war crimes?

N: In this case, good progress has been achieved especially in the General Assembly. For the first time, the the General Assembly is dealing with this type of crimes. It adopted the framework of collecting documents on war crimes and coordination between all that was reached in this framework. Now it is in the stage of creating a mechanism for accountability especially since a veto was taken in the Security Council to lift Assad's crimes to the International Criminal Court. The emphasis was placed on Western countries accountability to the opposition before the regime in order to push these countries to work in this direction.

Z: Is working with the General Assembly effective regarding taking Assad to trial?

N: Yes, it is possible for the General Assembly to establish a special tribunal, its modus operandi is with States dealing with the General Assembly, as well as cases against the regime in many European courts.

Z: What are the outcomes of Riyadh 2 conference?

N: The truth is that no one has a vision of Riyadh 2 so Saudi Arabia seems to have a complete vision of what is to be achieved in Riyad 2.

Z: Are there international guarantees beyond Riyadh 2 to be a serious and binding negotiation with the regime?

N: This specific question was discussed with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres who invited us to work with the Moscow platform.

He said that he was working in his country in Portugal with the opposition with which he does not very much in agreement. Our response was that the problem is not about working with the opposition from any other current but the problem is working with an opposition similar to the regime and perhaps it is the regime itself.

Saudis press on Riyadh-based opposition body to accept Assad: Interview

Sun, 17 Sep 2017 21:29:51 +0300

(Zaman Al Wasl)- President of Secretariat General of the Damascus Declaration alliance and its representative in the Executive Committee of the Syrian National Council (SNC) Samir Nashar said in an interview with Zaman al-Wasl that the body emanating from the Riyad 2 Conference would accept the presence of Bashar al-Assad in the interim period.

He said it was regrettable that the Syrian National Coalition would participate in the formation of a new body that would adapt to what the UN envoy Stefan de Mistura wanted for the Syrian crisis, adding that "it is unfortunate that the coalition represents the forces of the revolution and the opposition."

He pointed out that the convening of the Riyad 2 means in some ways the election of a new body, thus eliminating the current body adhering to the text that there is no role for Bashar al-Assad since the beginning of the transitional period.

Z: How did you read the message of the coalition to the Saudi Foreign Ministry in light of a committee work by the High Negotiations Committee?

S:The message of the coalition to the Saudi foreign ministry comes within the regional and international atmosphere that tries to create an impression of the defeat of the revolution and an attempt to re-promote Bashar al-Assad and the regional and western transformations in their positions towards Bashar al-Asad and the pressures exerted on the High Negotiations Committee to bypass the Riyad 1 conference statement which says Bashar has no role in the transitional period, and this message is a response to the Saudi efforts to make the Riyad 2 successful.

Z: What is the purpose and ambience of this message?

S: The purpose of the message is to the Saudi Foreign Ministry to prepare a new political vision and this is a regional and international demand to bear in mind that the priority of the International Community and friends of Syria is to combat terrorism not to step down Bashar al-Assad, and it appears that it complies with the idea that Russia was able to be the first player in the Syrian file and was able to change the balance of power on the ground in favor of the regime and its allies.

Z:What does Riyad2 mean in practice for the High Negotiations Committee?

S: The convening of the Riyad 2 means the election of a new supreme body, thus eliminating the existing body adhering to the text that there is no role for Bashar al-Assad as of the beginning of the transitional period.

Z: In your opinion, what are the determinants of the work of the new body or what emerges from the political body of Riyad 2?

S: The new supreme body will deal with all the variables mentioned and allow for a political solution through a transitional government under Bashar al-Assad.

Z: What are your comments on the coalition's message to the Saudi foreign ministry?

S: The coalition's message to the Saudi Foreign Ministry ignores the fact that the international resolution No. 2254, which states that the Riyad Conference elects a supreme body for negotiations is a one-time event, meaning that the conference has ended its function. There is no justification for the Riyad 2 conference because it is not negotiations or dissatisfaction with the current committee. The conference calls for a new conference to produce a body of negotiations to meet the demands of the UN envoy Stefan de Mistura to the Syrian crisis, and his behind him countries to achieve a political achievement at the expense of the blood and sacrifices of the Syrians and return to Bashar Assad's regime.

Z: But in the end the coalition is the political representative of the Syrian people or at least the political facade?

S: I am sorry to say that the coalition is the representative of the forces of the opposition and the revolution

Kurdish official says Russia not abide by Assad, serious about political solution

Zaman Al Wasl — Sat, 09 Sep 2017 11:12:58 +0300

(Zaman Al Wasl)- Fouad Aleiko, senior member n the Kurdish National Council, revealed to Zaman al-Wasl the content of the last meeting between key opposition group and the Russian side headed by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mikhail Bogdanov.

Aleiko confirmed that the Russian side said, “We are not attached to Bashar as some a promoting to defame our image but we intervened to save Syria from collapse and division and to preserve the unity of the Syrian territory.”

Aleiko added that the discussion with the Russian side was marked by seriousness and clarified that the Kurdish delegation felt Russia’s desire for a political solution. They want to give priority to the ceasefire for it to cover all of Syria and begin a serious Syrian-Syrian dialogue.

The Kurdish National Council delegation met with the Russian Foreign Ministry represented by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Bogdanov in the presence of Vitaly Naumkin, the director of the Institute of Oriental Studies. The meeting lasted for over one hour and a half and they discussed the Syrian crisis and the Russian vision for a solution.

The Council delegation clarified its view on Syria’s future based on a federalism that is able to bring unity back to the country and Syrian society built on a sound foundation far from the period of abuse and deprivation.

The Kurdish National Council delegation included Ibrahim Biro, the head of the Council, Kameran Haj Abdou and Mustafa Sino, who are members of the Council foreign relations office, and Fouad Aleiko a member of the negotiating committee. (Reporting by Abdullah Ghadawi)

Tahrir al-Sham's shuffle makes Assad Regime stronger: Islamic scholar

Wed, 30 Aug 2017 10:34:34 +0300

By Ahmed Primo

(Zaman Al Wasl)- The expert in Islamic groups Sheikh Hassan al-Dagheem accused Hayat Tahrir al-Sham of dodging, deception and lack of desire for dialogue and rapprochement, and continued deceit after its leaders repeatedly ignored their promises .

On Monday, he issued a statement detailing the invitation of Tahrir al-Sham to him and to political and revolutionary figures who opposed it recently.

He concluded his lengthy statement on the details of his visit to Syria, which was meant to meet with the leaders of Tahrir al-Sham. He concluded by announcing that he would stop communicating with the Golani group as he put it, and open the door for direct dialogue with the members of Tahrir al-Sham without allowing their leadership to control their fate.

Regarding al-Dagheem visit and the statement that followed and other topics, Zaman al-Wasl interviewed Sheikh Hassan al-Dagheem. To the text of the dialogue:

Z: You mentioned in your statement that you received an invitation from the leadership of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham for dialogue about the revolution and the arrangement of cards in the liberated areas. Do you think that the initiative of "Civil Administration" presented by Tahrir al-Sham is the reason for this invitation especially that your stand from it since it was working in the name of al-Nusra Front is well known and clear?

D: Yes, we received an official invitation from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham to enter talks in the arena and the issue of civil administration and others. After Tahrir al-Sham took over the arena and dismantled "movement Ahrar al-Sham Movement and expelled it from Bab al-Hawa crossing. It found itself in front of social and political responsibilities especially what is being said about the closure of the crossings and the pressures of the International Community, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham proposed the so-called "civil administration" project.

We know that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham fluctuates in its policies once it is affiliated with al-Qaeda and inother times it dismantles form al-Qaeda .Once it is merged with other factions or monopolize this merger, and now they use the "Civil Administration" card.

The call made by Tahrir al-Sham to me and to known figures known to oppose it is intended to legitimize the subject of "civil administration".

Z: You mentioned in your statement that Tahrir al-Sham requested or preferred the presence of certain opposition figures such as Ahmad Abazid, Osama Abu Zeid, Abbas Sharifa and other opponents to it in their approach and policy, what is their justification according to you?

D: As stated in my answer to the first question, Tahrir al-Sham wanted by inviting individuals with ideas and political and ideological orientations that differ from its ideology to legitimizing the "civil administration." If the project is confined to its cadres and loyal figures, it will be said that this project is Tahrir al-Sham or Fath al-Sham in another color. Hence, Tahrir al-Sham invited the figures you mentioned and other ones so it can say the "civil administration" is diverse.

Z: You have referred to the conditions to be presented to the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham during the meeting that was scheduled between you, can you inform us of those conditions especially those that you did not mention in your statement?

D: We did not have any preconditions for dialogue, and we wanted to sit down for dialogue without any preconditions. However, to enable and sustain this dialogue, we have prepared the necessary conditions to put forward during the dialogue, including stopping the aggression and oppression against the Syrian revolution factions. In addition to compensating those affected by the internal fighting between factions and guaranteeing the right of peaceful civil demonstration in their areas of control against the violations of Tahrir al-Sham.

Z: You may have heard the speech of the Commander-in-Chief of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham Hashim Sheikh Abu Jaber last Friday in which he said that Tahrir al-Sham is ready to resolve itself provided that all the military factions operating in the north of Syria do the same and meet under one command. Do you think the Sheikh and Tahrir al-Sham are generally serious about it, or is it within the media propaganda?

D: It always says this but unfortunately they do not prepare this to the political level. For example, if we told Tahrir al-Sham to resolve itself and a military council is formed, to whom this council will follow, should not be followed by a legitimate political entity, the coalition or the Interim Government or High Negotiation Committee?

They want to form a unified military force and an internal government without being recruited by the institutions created by the revolution, and here we are in two things, either that this new body is not recognized, or it becomes a rival to other institutions, it is a new body and a new frustration for the revolution.

Z: You announced at the end of your statement halt of communication with the “Golani Group” then you said later that your door is open for direct dialogue with the cadres and elements of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham without allowing their leadership to control their fate. In your words, does this mean that there is more than one current in Tahrir al-Sham. If yes, what are the trends according to your vision?

D: Of course, when we discovered the not so unfamiliar dodging and maneuvering of the leadership of Tahrir al-Sham and we know that there are a large number of cadres who were forced to work with Tahrir al-Sham because there areas were captured by it. The sons of Deir al-Zour and the rebels of the East strip and Badiye were forced to work with Tahrir al-Sham as well as those who withdrew from the northern countryside of Aleppo and joined Hayat in addition to others who entered the body either for fear or hope or benefit.

It is necessary not to contact these through “Golani” but to open lines of communication with the third, fourth and fifth lines of this body to alert the elements to the level of danger to the situation that would be in the event that Tahrir al-Sham keep imposing itself on the internal arena.

Z: Finally, according to your knowledge of the developments in the arena, and the recent statements that we have heard and read about from the West about Assad, what is the expected scenario of the Syrian revolution in general and Idlib in particular?

D: There is no doubt that the international stands and the hypocrisy of the International Community tend to rehabilitate the chemical regime and Bashar al-Assad under the theory of political reality, and of course this is rejected by all the actors in our revolution, and the place of this regime is prison and fair trial. This needs the unification of our military and popular ranks and mobilization of our political cards wisely and firmly.

Founder of FSA urges to save Idlib, lessen intimidation: Interview

Wed, 30 Aug 2017 02:09:09 +0300

By Abdullah Ghadawi

(Zaman Al Wasl)- Colonel Riad al-Asaad, the founder of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) said his initiative to manage the city of Idlib was in consultation with many local Syrian national bodies and even the Supreme Islamic Council, considering the charges directed at him of affiliation with al-Nusra Front as empty and useless.

Asaad in an interview with Zaman al-Wasl criticized the the Interim Government stand which rejected the initiative he proposed, saying that many factions no longer represent the Syrian people as much as these factions represent Pentagon and the CIA. To the Details:

Z: What do you say to those who accuse you of dealing with the al-Nusra Front?

A: Today, anyone who tries to defend this revolution is accused of being affiliated with ISIS or al-Nusra Front. This is the logic of the regime that accused us at the beginning of the revolution of being extremists. A charge without evidence of belonging to ISIS or al-Nusra Front goes in the interest of the regime.

When many have welcomed ISIS and other extremists, I was the first to take up arms against them in 2012. Those who received ISIS and al- Qaeda later became leaders after the revolution became a handful of dollars for them. Finally, we are used to these accusations and they are no longer useful.

Z: Some said you do not represent anyone inside Syria?

A: Those who say so represent the foreign intelligence agencies, the CIA and the Pentagon. The attack on Riad al-Asaad shows many of those also defend me. If I know that I have no acceptance, I will not show up in any place. These are abusers of the revolution and they are busy selling arms and drug trafficking, who do they represent? Many battalions have become with the regime. Al-Waer people were forcibly displaced in Homs and those battalions did not move so who do they represent?

Z: There are charges that you are coordinating with al-Nusra Front in Idlib?

A: I have not coordinated with anyone. This is my project and I have been working on it for more than a year and I had proposed my initiative to the Supreme Islamic Council and to Ahrar al-Sham and several battilions regarding the administration of Idlib. Seven months ago I was in Syria and I spoke about this project and we have talked with many figures to implement this project. Do they want American and Russian intervention in Idlib? We want to prevent destruction and killing, but there are those who hate this city and want chaos.

Z: But now according to some, you belong clearly to al-Nusra Front?

A: I do not belong to anyone, and when we founded FSA, it was a national army for all Syrians without sectarianism or racism, and some do not want to remember that. The initiative of Idlib administration was proposed in front of all factions and bodies including Interim Government, and launched the initiative Academics do not belong to anyone. Those who proposed the initiative are academics who do not belong to anyone but young people who are interested in preserving the city, and these accusations will not fool anyone and will not affect.

Z: What was the position of the Interim Government from the Idleb city administration initiative?

A: When asked about the administration of the city of Idlib, the head of the Interim Government said that if the administration was not in agreement and under the government administration, it will declare that Idlib is a military zone. This attitude ignores the interests of the people of Idlib.

Z: You were attacked by many parties, how did you look at them?

A: It was actually a fierce and painful campaign, showing the extent of hatred on the person of Riad al-Asaad. The strange thing is that it was an organized campaign, and I thank everyone who responded to these accusations, and there are those who carry the slogan "Riad al-Asaad represents us" and in front of these positions I am ready to pay my blood for them. I will continue my initiative about Idlib at any cost.

Z: What is your assessment of the situation in Syria?

A: Syria is now under international agreements and regions began to be handed over under the pretext of reconciliation and agreement with the Russians, Russia is the first criminal in Syria.

The Shiite militias were not mentioned in any agreement and did not enter into any article. Even the detainees did not enter into any agreement. Unfortunately, everyone is trading with the Syrian people.

The situation is now very dangerous in Syria, and the Iranian militias are tearing the Syrian territories in front of the Syrian people, and they are managing to control Syria. The Syrian people must be aware of such schemes.

Today, those whoever rejects Assad remain in power become an affiliate with ISIS and al-Nusra Front. These canned accusations are intended to stop the revolution, but the revolution with my conviction continues and will not stop.

Opposition still oppose any role for Assad in transitional period: spokesman

Sat, 26 Aug 2017 20:16:10 +0300

By Abdullah Ghadawi

(Zaman Al Wasl)- Spokesman for the opposition's High Negotiations Committee Dr. Monzer Makhous confirmed the Syrian opposition no longer owns a national Syrian decision in view of all this international and regional interference in the Syrian crisis.

In an interview with Zaman al-Wasl, Makhous explained that the real stand has been so far for the committee is to reject any acceptance of Assad, neither in the transitional phase nor after this stage, indicating that the Syrian decision now is no longer a purely national decision in light of regional interventions.

He said that the Saudi stand is in reality with the departure of Assad, but the international changes are imposed on the regional countries to take into account what has changed on the ground in Syria.

Z: There is a state of dispute between the committee and the Cairo and Moscow platforms regarding Assad. Will the Commission accept the expansion of Assad's acceptance base?

M: There is almost unanimous agreement in the committee that Bashar will have neither be in transitional phase nor in the future of Syria. The four political and military currents in the committee reject any presence of Assad except Yahya Qadamani the committee secretariat who resigned following criticism of his acceptance to sit with the delegation of the Moscow platform in a protocol session called by UN envoy Stephane de Mistura, and otherwise the body is the most influential political force in the question of rejecting Assad remain in power at any stage.

-Z: What is the truth about the Saudi stand from the Syrian crisis?

M: The truth is that Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir told us at the last meeting that Saudi Arabia would remain with the opposition. He said in one word that the true position of Saudi Arabia is to reject any presence of Bashar al-Assad either in the transitional period or after. But al-Jubeir talked about the political reality that the west started talking about and about the international agendas in Syria. Al-Jubeir stressed that the international stand is not the Saudi stand, but he urged us to think carefully on all levels, including the idea of Riyadh 2.

Z: If the platforms were originally represented in the Higher Committee for Negotiations, did the platforms overcome the committee and changed the scales?

M: There is no intention in the committee to accept Bashar al-Assad - so far - whether in the transitional period or other, and in the foreseeable future I do not think the situation will change.

Z: But many positions in the committee have changed since Geneva 4?

M: There should be a distinction between the committee and the delegation. The main issue for the committee is the process of political transition. de Mistura surprised us in Geneva by saying about the four baskets. As usual, he did not give us a pre-negotiation program, hence the tension started on this subject, but in any case, the stand regarding Assad remain in power did not change despite the talk about baskets .. so the stand regarding Assad did not and will not change in the High Negotiations Committee.

Z: What if states agreed to accept Bashar al-Assad in the transitional phase?

M: In fact, I cannot answer this question now, but in general it depends on the structure of the committee which is still - so far - strong in terms of refusing to accept any role Assad, but the problem is in the variables.

Z: So these variables will be dependent on the positions of states?

M: Of course, it is no secret that the opposition in many respects are influenced by states which in the real sense does not carry an integrated national project. Thus there is no purely Syrian decision, we have become hostage.

Z: Finally, the French stand regarding Assad was a shock when President Emmanuel Macron said that Assad is not the enemy of the French people. What is the reality of the French position?

M: It is true the French stand was a shock, but there was a special estimation for this stand. I do not think there is a change in the French stand. What happened is that Macron said publicly that we want to get out of the circle of political hypocrisy over the Syrian crisis. He said that the European positions show something and talk in the backstage something else. So Macron stand is more of a revealing position rather than a retreat, and I do not think the French position has changed. He (President Macron) told us that Bashar al-Assad is terrorist and he is a real enemy for the Syrian people, but he said that the one who is attacking us is ISIS not Assad.

Opposition groups divided over Assad's future, rifts mount: official

Wed, 09 Aug 2017 22:32:03 +0300

By Abdullah Ghadawi

(Zaman Al Wasl)- George Sabra, member of the Syrian opposition's High Negotiations Committee, said rifts and discords are now emerging more than ever about accepting Bashar al-Assad stay in the transitional period, pointing out that the current stage is a turning point in the path of the Syrian opposition and Syrian people has to be informed.

Sabra said in an interview with Zaman al-Wasl that some of the platforms wanted to accept the presence of Assad in the interim period , but the committee will adhere to the Riyad statement, and we will fight for these constants at any cost. He denied that Saudi Minister of Foreign Affair Adel al-Jubair has put pressure on the committee to form it once again it. to details:

Z: The conflict within the negotiation committee and with other platforms is clear now regarding acceptance of Assad in the transition?

G: It is no secret that some are insisting on Assad stay in the transitional phase, and even within the committee, there are those who believe there is possibility Assad remains in the transitional period. Other platforms no longer hide these demands, and hence we must be clear with the Syrian people since this is about about the fate of a struggling people who paid a heavy price in order to get rid of the injustice and tyranny of the regime of Bashar al-Assad, and we put this to the choice of Syrians who sacrificed and carried, and still are, the revolution on their shoulders . Do they accept Bashar Assad in the transitional period ?.

Z: What about the position of the majority of the committee especially your position and the position of the general coordinator?

G: We are committed to Riyad conference statement which stated clearly and frankly and unanimously of all currents that there is no Bashar al-Assad in the transitional period. It is necessary to move to the democratic stage. How can a criminal accept democracy?

Z: What are your tools to face the project of keeping Bashar al-Assad in the transitional stage and perhaps after the transition?

G: Our choice is to fight in politics until the end. As the Syrians are fighting today the regime in the field and fighting Russia and Iranian militias, we will fight in the political field and reject any projects at the expense of the Syrian people.

Z: What if Assad was imposed by regional and international powers?

G: The Syrian revolution did not start by orders from regional and international powers to impose Assad on us. The Syrian people who sacrificed are the ones who decide. I say to all Syrians today that they are more cohesive than before on the political and military levels. Today we need all the Syrian energies to confront any project imposed on the Syrian people. The political battle is long and we will not be false witnesses to our country.

Z: Is it true that Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubair exerted pressure on you to re-establish the committee?

G: Al-Jubair did not exert any pressure. All he said was that there are changes on the international and regional scene regarding the Syrian situation. The priority has become terrorism, not the overthrow of Assad. You have to take note of these changes. Al-Jubair confirmed that Saudi Arabia is ready to support the opposition.

Z: So those who call for Riyad 2, they demand to reestablish the committee and expand the base of Assad's acceptance?

G: There is some truth in this but this is linked to the will of Syrians more than anyone else and let me assure you that if the will of the Syrian people is solid, no power can dictate its decisions.

U.S. has no intention to fight al-Qaeda group in Idlib, CIA's arms programme not ended: commander

Sat, 29 Jul 2017 04:21:31 +0300

(Zaman Al Wasl)- Head of the political bureau in the Mutasim Brigade Mustapha Segari said that the suspension of US fund to fighting factions was limited to halt of the support of the CIA, pointing out that the Pentagon still supports some factions.

In an interview with Zaman al-Wasl, he said that the three factions (Al-Mutasim-Al-Hamza, 51 Brigade) are still receiving support from the Pentagon, while support for many factions has stopped. He expected that support might be cut off at any moment from the American side.

He clarified that the United States did not ask us to fight al-Nusra Front while all attempts to work with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) failed because of the separatist tendencies of the People’s Protection Units militia (YPG). To the details:

Z- What is your explanation for stopping US support for the factions?

S-The beginning of the matter must be made clear: the support of the CIA stopped whereas the support of the Pentagon continues, and we in the Mutasim and Hamzah Brigades and the 51st Brigade receive support from the Pentagon and not from (CIA), and therefore this moratorium on armament did not include us.

The factions banned from American weapons

Z- What factions are affected by the cessation of armament?

S- All the factions supported by the CIA have been affected by this moratorium including Faylaq al-Sham, al-Shamiye Front, the Idlib Free Army, the Coast Division, and the Second Division. They rely on the support of the CIA.

Z- Do not you have concerns that the Pentagon is also going to stop arming?

S- We expect the support will stop at any moment, and any supporting body is not really obliged to continue their support. The issue is not a contractual issue with the supporting bodies. Thus everything is expected, and here the factions have a second plan in case the support stops, all factions have alternatives despite the modesty of these alternatives.

America arms 4,000 fighters

Z- What is the total number of the fighters in the factions (Mutasim - Hamzah - 51)?

S- The number does not exceed 4000, and therefore the American support for this number of fighters is not massive support.

Z- What type are American weapons do you receive?

S-Overall, the American weapons we receive are light and medium weapon and it does not compare to the weapons received by (SDF) which include tanks, transport vehicles for soldiers and anti-armor.

- Do not you fear the repercussions of the conflict in Idlib and the expansion of Tahrir al-Sham and specifically al-Nusra Front to the regions in the north?

- Tahrir al-Sham has no foot in our regions; neither in terms of the grassroots nor in terms of military strength because they are pariahs in our regions and most of the Syrian regions, but this does not mean that we do not take into account the expansion of Tahrir al-Sham. On the contrary, this is very important to preserve our regions from forces of extremism.

Z- Do you have a plan to fight Tahrir al-Sham?

S-What we fear is the recurrence of al-Raqqa scenario where ISIS as a result of some international developments managed to control the city of Raqqa. Later, they came up with (SDF) to fight the ISIS which in turn SDF forces took control of Raqqa. We are afraid of a similar scenario in Idlib.

Here we have two options. The first is to move the street in the city of Idlib to reject the control of the Tahrir al-Sham, but this option will be painful because it will be followed by a bloodbath.

The second option is the military solution, and there are internal and regional contacts to consider the possibility of this solution.

Z- Are there intentions to advance the factions of the north to Idlib and fight Tahrir al-Sham?

S-There are efforts on this matter, but it is not yet clear.

America did not ask to fight Tahrir al-Sham.

Z- Did Washington ask you to fight Tahrir al-Sham?

S- It seems that America currently does not want to Tahrir al-Sham and did not ask any military body to fight it. Unlike the false rumors broadcasted by the Commission because we believe that what the Tahrir al-Sham is committing of attacks and bloodshed is in favor of some international and regional forces to pass foreign projects.

Z- Since America arms you and SDF, Can there be coordination in a place or action?

S-I do not think so because SDF project is different from our project. Every day it shows its separatist intentions and moves away from the national project. For months there has been an initiative to communicate and agree on the outlines, but these efforts did not succeed because of the general disagreement over the national project in Syria. It is impossible to agree.

Z- Many factions rejected US support to fight ISIS before fighting Assad. How did you accept this support?

S-In the period in which Washington offered weapons, we were fighting only ISIS in addition to another front with the Kurds , but the major danger was of ISIS and hence armament falls in this context.

Z-Will America accept your fight against the regime?

S- This decision is primarily one of Mutasim Brigade, but as you know, the Syrian scene s changing every day, and we are primarily fighting against the tyrant regime.

'We seek a federal state, PYD wants to control by force': Kurdish official

Tue, 25 Jul 2017 02:30:41 +0300

By Abdullah Ghadawi

(Zaman Al Wasl)- Faisal Yusef, a member of the General Secretariat of the Kurdish National Council, said that the Kurdish National Council parties worked under the oppression and tyranny of the al-Assad regime and the parties insist on their objectives to achieve a “federal democratic state.”

Speaking to Zaman al-Wasl, Yusef, a member of the foreign relations council in the Kurdish National Council, said that the Democratic Union Party (PYD) wants to control political life by force. He indicated that the National Council has a strong popular base other than its excellent relations with the other social components in the Syrian al-Jazeera area. Here we will present the details of the interview.

-In light of the control of the Democratic Union Party on the details of political and security life, has the role of the National Council inside Syria ended?

The Kurdish National Council is formed of decade old political parties. They did not care for the regime oppression and tyranny in all the previous stages, and persisted in their struggle for democracy for the country and eliminating the exceptional policies targeting the Kurdish people presence in Syria and recognition of their legitimate national rights according to the international covenants and conventions.

With the start of the peaceful Syrian revolution, these parties, in addition to dozens of coordination [committees] of the revolutionary youth movements in the Kurdish street and independent social figures, contributed to the convening of the first Kurdish National Congress in late 2011. From the congress, the Kurdish National Council emerged, and it continued to hold regular conferences and meetings until now, and the Council is a member of the National Coalition for the Opposition and Revolutionary Forces.

The Council maintains a broad popular support among the Kurdish people and good relations with the ethnic and religious components of the Syrian people. The Kurdish National Council plays an important role through its political struggle alongisde the various opposition forces to implement international resolutions aimed at solving the crisis in the country and communicating with all international forces to this end.

- What are your options given the ban on your political action?

* Kurdish parties in Syria in the previous era, were not all licensed and they worked under the preventative conditions and militants were arrested by the al-Assad regime security services, and these parties remained until this stage. They continue their political struggle to achieve their goals until a democratic system is realized and the Kurdish people enjoy their ethnic rights in Syria as a democratic federal state for all its people.

Do you have a vision of working together with the [Democratic] Union Party?

* Political document of the Kurdish National Council emphasizes the option of dialogue, cooperation and joint work with the Democratic Union Party through the implementation of the Dohuk agreement which was held in late 2014. The agreement determines the equal and effective partnership between the Council and the Democratic Union Party in the administrative, political and military fields, but the Democratic Union Party turns its back on the agreement and works singularly in an attempt to dominate the Kurdish National Council by force and obstruct its activities.

- In light of the distance between you and the Democratic Union Party, are there any internal initiatives or initiative from the Kurdistan Regional Government?

* The Kurdish National Council never opposed the return to the Dohuk agreement which was concluded under the auspices of Masoud Barzani, the President of the Kurdistan region.

- There are international allies for the democratic society movement, so who are your allies?

* Since the beginning of the peaceful Syrian Revolution, the Kurdish National Council’s option was to work with the other national opposition forces to achieve the revolutionary goals of freedom and dignity and to not initiate any negotiation or dialogue with the regime without it [remaining opposition forces]. The Council is now a member of the Coalition of the Opposition and Revolutionary Forces, and through its membership, it continues to communicate with the forces supporting the Syrian people. The Council enjoys the support of the majority of the Kurdish forces and at their helm the leadership of the Kurdistan region of Iraq.

- Compared to the representation of the Democratic Union Party abroad, how many representatives do you have abroad?

Historically, there is no way to compare between the Kurdish National Council parties and the Democratic Union Party. The parties of the National Council have existed since 1957 while the Democratic Union Party is new to political activity. The Kurdish National Council has many representatives in Kurdistan, Iraq, Turkey and Germany. Also, it has organizations in most European countries other than its reputation and the special relations it enjoys among Syrians.

Obeida Nahas on his visit to Qamishli and Kurdish autonomy: Interview

Thu, 06 Jul 2017 11:58:58 +0300

By Abdullah Ghadawi

(Zaman Al Wasl)- Obeida Nahas, the head of the National Renewal Movement, revealed details of his visit to al-Qamishli two weeks ago, pointing out that he met with many Kurdish, Arab and Assyrian politicians in the Jazira area and stressed the continued political dialogue with the leaders there.

In an interview with Zaman al-Wasl, Nahas said that during his discussions with the al-Jazira political forces, he objected to their unilateral decision to establish federalism in Syria’s north. He considers that the experience of the Autonomous Administration is no different from the local councils, but there are differences in the size of international support especially from the US. Below are the details of the interview.

What were your reasons for visiting al-Qamishli?

My visit to al-Qamishli is the natural act of any Syrian visiting a part of my beloved country. It is necessary to become familiar with the reality of the Syrian al-Jazira region which has been neglected for decades, despite it being Syria's food and oil store. I met with the Syrian Arab, Kurdish and Assyrian political forces, and we talked a lot. We agreed and disagreed. We believe that this dialogue should continue.

How did you find the model of federalism in the north? Is it suitable for the Syrian situation?

We have seen the model of Autonomous Administration in the region which we consider part of Syrians’ experiences after the revolution of 2011, similar to the experiences of many local administration established by the Syrians. Perhaps the Kurdish Autonomous Administration has enjoyed what other Syrian experience [in governance] have not received, namely international protection and air cover because of its involvement in the war against the Islamic State.

Regarding federalism, our Kurdish brothers listened to our objections to the establishment of a federation in northern Syria unilaterally. We said that the federal system deserves positive debate, but a federalism that preserves the country's unity and stability can only be based on a geographical basis that guarantees the diversity in different areas and regions. Establishing a federal system in Syria cannot be only in part of the country, either there is a federal system between the regions of the whole country, or another form of state is agreed upon.

You have moved to a party completely rejected in Turkey. Does this mean that you are looking at the Turkish role through the eyes of 'Al-Ghad al-Soury', political movement'?

I look at Syria and the world through Syrian eyes. We appreciate the vital role of that all countries in the region friendly to Syrian play, their support for our people in their revolution or in reaching a political solution. We, as Syrians, must work together to reach a national solution that achieves the basic goals for which the revolution in Syria was launched and establish a new social contract that protects all Syrians and preserves their dignity, freedom, and achieves Syrian cohesion in the new democratic and diverse Syria.

Our goals in Syria are clear: defeat tyranny and terrorism. We have been clear in our dialogues about our refusal to compromise the security of our neighbors and to threaten neighboring societies with terrorism, and we refuse to compromise the security of the Syrians. What affects our brothers in Turkey or Saudi Arabia or any other country in the region affects us, and we call for good relations with neighboring countries, based on mutual respect for national independence, and a refusal of interferes in internal affairs.

We are looking for a strong Kurdish partner

What can you do and achieve with the Kurds if they have completed their project until now?

We are searching for a Syrian partner among our Kurdish brothers. A partner concerned with the unity of the Syrian soil, and the unity of purpose and fate. We believe that the dialogue that we have started is a positive step at this stage in which many projects and directions are struggling [against each other].

We have spoken frankly on many issues. We raised questions and listened to concerns. We sat face to face and spoke clearly and directly. We rejected steps that are imposed unilaterally. We agree on many of the constants, but we are still waiting for answers, and our agreement is on the line and it is being tested. We will defend it when it is for the benefit of the homeland, and we will not hesitate to take the appropriate situation if things do not go as they should God forbid.

The Muslim Brotherhood immediately denounced you after the announcement of your visit [to al-Qamishli]. What is your relationship with the Muslim Brotherhood?

Our decision in the National Renewal Movement is independent and represents us alone. My previous relationship with the Muslim Brotherhood is behind us, and I think that their stated position has confirmed this. We have an ideological and political dispute with the Muslim Brotherhood. Our project, which we will present to the Syrian public opinion, will be the real expression of our approach. We believe that national political action must unite and not divide based on religious, sectarian or ethnic grounds.

What is the second step after this visit?

On the political level, we have a lot of work to achieve with our people inside Syria. Our project is to build a Syrian national solution that will establish the state of justice, equality and law for all Syrians, and introduce accountability as an entry into national reconciliation. These are the basic demands of the Syrian revolution of freedom and dignity.

Southern Front Spokesman says steadfastness is key of victory: Interview

Fri, 23 Jun 2017 06:09:14 +0300

By Abdullah Ghadawi

(Zaman Al Wasl)- Spokesman for the Southern Front Essam al-Rayes said regime's major offensive on Daraa province had failed to achieve its targets despite the heavy aerial and ground bombing and hundreds of Iran-backed Shiite militants.

Al-Rayes said in an interview with Zaman al-Wasl that ISIS began to move in harmony with the regime and suspiciously in the Yarmouk basin in order to control new areas. He pointed out that the rebels are aware of these movements and are ready for any development on the ground.

Al-Rayes pointed out that what Daraa offered today deserves from all those who criticized the Southern Front an apology, because Daraa repelled the strongest attack and forced the regime to choose the truce. To interview details.

- Why all this mobilization by the regime and its allies against Daraa?

The first is that the symbol of Daraa, "the cradle of the revolution," is an important issue for the regime as it tries to break this symbolism, but it fails. The second reason has strategic dimensions. A shield is the link between the east of Daraa and Quneitra and between the Badya. If militias reach the Jordanian borders, this is scary regionally speaking and the regime tried to play on this string, in addition to the attempt to cut the supply lines between west and east of Daraa.

- Since you mentioned regional concerns about the arrival of the militias, this means that you received regional support?

Support did not amount to what is going on in Daraa. The truth is the support has one course in the Syrian revolution. There is no international support except for the TAO missiles, which can not be used inside the cities. We did not rely on this. In Daraa battles, rebels participate in tanks and these tanks were taken from the regime.

- Does the armistice save the opposition or the regime?

In fact, we did not ask for a truce, and we see it as an attempt to show Russia that it can force the regime through a truce, or that it is an attempt by the regime to capture its breath, especially as it suffered heavy losses and failed miserably to break into the rebel areas. Also the Hezbollah and Iran militias took their killed.
- There was criticism of the Daraa Front. Today, it moved only when the regime progressed. Will the Front only react?
The strategy of the factions in Daraa has been constant and that is not to lose our areas through reconciliations and forced displacement, so the strategy was to preserve the land. I would like to say that the Southern Front since what happened in the Daraya has lost only 2.4 of its territory, so the rebels preferred to preserve these areas, and now deserve an apology to all after all these heroic battles.

- How did the truce take place?

We did not ask for the truce, and we heard it from the media of the regime. The regime has already committed itself to the truce and that is why we responded to this truce and things have returned to normal in accordance with the easing of tensions and the violations of the truce remained within the Astana deal framework.

- Did ISIS move with the regime in these battles?

Indeed, ISIS moved suspiciously in the past two days and in harmony with regime military operations.

We have no doubt that ISIS a tool in the hands of the regime, and for us coordination between the two parties is very obvious, which share economic and military interests against the rebels.

- After all that happened, representatives of the Southern Front might go to Astana?

The course of Astana is a true international regional course. It is with Geneva, it is a separate battle from the field. It is a battle for the benefit of the Syrian people. Not going to negotiate is not useful on the ground. Everything that is being done to the civilians is a gain for the Syrians. I think it is not good to link Geneva and Astana and the battles inside Syria.

- How long will the Daraa front stand in the face of this escalation?

In practice, we cannot talk about days or months, but there is a real will on the part of the rebels, and this is what we saw in fighting and thwarting all the regime's attempts to advance. Let me say that thwarting the attempt of the Fourth and Fifth Army Divisions backed by Hezbollah and Iran in addition to Russia air is not to be measured militarily. The criterion is the will and the steadfastness, not the time factor.

Another thing regarding Daraa Front, there are local fighters and we do not have the process of filling the martyrs' vacuum, but I repeat that the rebels have the will to protect Daraa and stand steadfast against the regime and its allies.

Badr Jamous urges to support opposition, lessen criticism: Interview

Thu, 01 Jun 2017 09:05:06 +0300

By Abdullah Gadawi

(Zaman Al Wasl)- Badr Jamous, member of the political commission in the National Coalition said the key opposition group is at a pivotal stage, calling on all members to moblize efforts to preserve this political entity which is recognized by 117 countries.

Jamous spoke of Riad Seif’s project to restore consideration to the Coalition and activate its relations on the ground in Syria to become closer to Syrians than it has ever been before. As part of its efforts to address Syrians’ needs, the Coalition is in discussion with the Turkish government to form a high commission to monitor Syrians’ conditions inside Turkey.

During the interview with Zaman al-Wasl, he considered that daily criticism of the Coalition is unhelpful and that all sides should work to support the Coalition. He argued that the commotion that Seif’s election stirred up was inappropriate and the election process was democratic.

Focusing on Riyad Seif’s election and its effect on the Coalition, Zaman al-Wasl asked, “It is said that Riyad Seif’s election divided the Coalition and caused a split... What do you say?

“The democratic process and the emerging views about each candidate cannot be described as a split. The coalition since its establishment has held elections, and every time there are different points of view about the candidates. Alliances were formed between the blocs in these elections, and this is not new. Each time we look to reach a consensus, and when we do not reach a consensus we go to the elections ... In this election, the difference was 17 votes while in the previous elections the difference was not more than five votes.”

What are the criteria for the team which supported Riad Seif’s candidacy?

“Choosing Seif comes as a result of the difficulties the Coalition experienced as in the recent period the international community has abandoned the coalition. This increased the Coalition’s burdens and placed greater responsibilities on it in the political sphere and at the level of supporting the interim government.

This accumulation of responsibilities placed the Coalition in a difficult situation and gave it not the best reputation... Before this distorted image - so to speak - it was necessary to find a figure known to Syrians who stood up against the regime at its strongest. We hear and know that many say where did so and so come from to lead the opposition... And from here came the importance of electing Raid Seif who is known to the Syrian people… and today more than any other day past, we look to gain the confidence of the Syrians.

Everyone is talking about the consideration given again to the Coalition. Do not think that time is over for such talk?

“Actually, we do not have options. The Coalition, whether we like it or not, is the representative of the Syrian revolution, so do we attack this entity? Is the option that we dissolve the Coalition? Today, we need to strengthen the Coalition which is the best option for the Syrian people, so that this political body will be active in the transitional phase. Let me say that trying to find a replacement for the Coalition is almost impossible. The Coalition has offices in some countries, and it has weight and must be preserved and built on, and this is our only choice. If the coalition made mistakes in the past, but the Syrian people should support us and trust this institution.

You spoke about how the Coalition must offer something for countries to approach towards it… What is this thing?

“There are three central fundamentals: the first is that the coalition must truly be the real representative of the Syrian people and it must be representative of all currents. The coalition was a closed club, and now it is essential to have the largest representation of Syrians. There is talk of expanding it, and there are those who are thinking of resigning, and they would be replaced with other personalities. The second issue is for the Coalition to be present in the liberated areas which depends on the strategic relationship with Turkey. The third axis is that the Coalition is the representative of the Syrians in the broadest sense, and these are the determinates of the new president's project.

Have you received any pledges or at least indicators of support for the Coalition internationally or regionally?”

“It is not possible to expect to get support two weeks after the election of the new president. The Coalition must do something and present it for countries to approach us. The first visit was to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and it was an excellent meeting. We asked the Turkish side to form a higher committee to support the work of the Interim Government and solve the problems of Syrians living in Turkey. If this committee is formed, we will solve many Syrians’ problems… I do not want to talk much about what must be done as the Syrian people have heard enough words and want actions.