ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Mazloum Abdi has said talks to promote political unity in northeast Syria are progressing in a “positive atmosphere”.
“Our efforts to build a Kurdish unity in Rojava continue in a positive atmosphere. In the coming days, steps will be taken towards building trust,” read a tweet from Abdi, using the Kurdish name for Kurdish-held areas in northeast Syria.
The Movement for a Democratic Society (TEV-DEM), the umbrella group for the ruling Democratic Union Party (PYD) and its allies, and the Kurdish National Council (ENKS), which consists of several opposition parties, have made several failed attempts in the past to unite the various groups in the area.
Power-sharing agreements between the groups were signed in 2014 in Kurdistan Region’s Duhok province, mediated by the Region’s ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) which has close ties with the ENKS. However, none of the deals were implemented.
The ENKS has accused the TEV-DEM of refusing to share power and allow the ENKS-linked Roj Peshmergas - funded by the KRG - to protect Rojava alongside SDF forces.
The opposition group's refusal to recognize the TEV-DEM administration has strained ties between the two groups.
However, the Turkish attack on the SDF in northern Syria encouraged Syrian Kurds to seek serious efforts to build unity.
Abdi and his envoys met with the ENKS separately in Syria early November following a meeting between the SDF commander and Kurdistan Region’s President Nechirvan Barzani in Erbil.
The Kurdish commander praised the role of Kurdistan Region in the talks.
“The positive position of the Southern Kurdistan Region’s administration in this regard is appreciated and we thank them,” he said, referring to Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
However, Jad’an Ali, a member of ENKS, told Rudaw English that the talks will not yield tangible results as long as the TEV-DEM does not take practical steps.
“So far, two meetings have been held. On the ground, there have not been any practical steps taken,” Ali said.
The ENKS is also a member of the pro-Turkish Syrian opposition, and this fact could harm talks with the PYD.
Officials and members of the ENKS usually live in Kurdistan Region, Turkey and Western countries. Some have been banned from entering Rojava and have been jailed for their criticism and alleged links to Turkey.
The offices of the ENKS have been closed in PYD-controlled areas in Syria in the last few years as the opposition group refuses to recognize the administration.
After meeting with Mikhail Bogdanov, Russian deputy foreign minister and special presidential envoy to the Middle East and Africa last Monday, a member of the ENKS told Rudaw that Moscow has called for Kurdish unity in Syria.
“When it comes to the Kurdish question, it [Russia] says that ‘You [Kurds] have to make deals and clarify your demands. Then, we can help you in ensuring rights in the future of Syria,'” said Kamiran Hajo, head of ENKS’ foreign relations.
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