ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The main party in Syria Kurdistan, the Democratic Union Party (PYD), declared a federal region on Thursday. "We will preserve the oneness of the Syrian land and the right of all elements living under the system of federalism [in Syria Kurdistan]," Mansour al-Salum, head of the Federalism System Administration Council in Rojava-Northern Syria , told a press conference following the declaration of the federal system in the town of Rmeilan in Haskah province. "We had a successful experience with the system of canton in the past and this decree of federalism system will help resolve issues in Syria," he added. Asked if the international community or regional countries oppose such decision in Rojava, he answered "no party or country can impose their will on us, federalism is decided by our nation." The PYD were excluded from the restarted Syrian peace talks at Geneva. Shortly after their declaration both the Syrian regime and opposition immediately condemned this move. The regime dubbed it “unconstitutional and worthless” and the opposition accused the Kurds of trying to “confiscate the will of the Syrian people.” The Syrian Kurds have notably been making an outreach to minorities who live in areas they control. Such as Arabs, Assyrians and Turkmen. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) which they helped form last October consists of many members from these communities and while still a Kurdish-majority fighting force about 40% of its ranks are made-up of non-Kurds. Syria's Kurds have also expanded their territory in the fight against ISIS. Most notably when joining the cantons of Kobani and Jazira through Tal Abyad last summer. Subsequently Tal Abyad was given special autonomy status within Syria Kurdistan.
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