A delegation from northeast Syria (Rojava) arrived in Washington on Monday. It was led by Elham Ahmad, president of Syrian Democratic Council’s (SDC) Executive Committee, reported North Press Agency. The agenda of the delegation for their visit has not been revealed to the public.
The Rojava administration has been deprived of attending most UN-sponsored meetings about Syria - thanks to pressure from Ankara which sees the administration as a foe for its alleged links to Kurdish rebels in Turkey.
Syrian state-owned SANA reported on Monday that the regime delegation, led by Foreign Minister Faysal Mikdad, will attend the session and meet with a number of officials from other countries on the sidelines of the session.
SANA did not reveal if the delegation has already arrived in the US but other local media reported it has.
World leaders are expected to speak at the annual session on Tuesday, highlighting common issues like global warming.
A delegation from the Syrian opposition, backed by Turkey, has also arrived in New York. It includes members of the Kurdish National Council (ENKS) which is affiliated to the umbrella group.
Shalal Gado, a Kurdish member of the opposition, told Rudaw Radio on Monday that “the message of the Syrian opposition is clear as usual - finding a solution for Syria with the help of the international community.”
He added that the ENKS members of the delegation will separately meet with US officials and others. “We will also convey the message of the ENKS about the Kurdish issue in Rojava.”
The opposition said in a statement that they will hold meetings with officials on the sidelines of the UN meeting between September 20 to October 1. “Pressuring [Bashar] Assad’s regime to engage seriously in the political process” as well as the conflict between the opposition’s fighters and the regime fighters in Idlib and Daraa are among topics they will discuss, the opposition said in a statement, reported by media affiliated to it.
