1. “The guarantee of the right to representation and participation for all Syrians, regardless of their religious and ethnic backgrounds, in the political process and all state institutions.”
2. “The Kurdish community is an indigenous community of the Syrian state, and the Syrian state guarantees its citizenship rights and all constitutional rights.”
3. “A ceasefire to be implemented across all of Syrian territory.”
4. “The integration of all northeastern Syria’s civilian and military institutions, including border crossings, airports, and oil and natural gas fields, into the management of the Syrian state.”
5. “Ensuring that all displaced Syrians return to their towns and villages and are protected by the Syrian state.”
6. “Supporting the Syrian state’s fight against any threat by the remnants of the Assad regime, as well as threats to security and unity.”
7. “Rejecting calls aimed at creating divisions among the components of Syrian society, hate speech, and attempts to spread discord.”
8. “The Executive Committees will continue working to ensure the implementation of the agreement by the end of the year.”
SDF General Commander Mazloum Abdi and Syrian interim president Ahmed Al-Sharaa signed an agreement that includes guaranteeing all constitutional rights of the Kurds and integrating NE Syria military and civilian institutions into the Syrian Government.
The signing of the agreement with Al-Sharaa came after the visit of U.S. Central Command General Michael Kurilla to northeastern Syria, to encourage the SDF commander to reach an understanding with Damascus.[2]
U.S. Central Command General Michael Kurilla with Mazloum Abdi, the General Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
The agreement that was signed by Al-Sharaa and Abdi has faced criticism within the Kurdish community, though much of it remains unexpressed.
Below is an article by Kurdish expert Azado Kurdian, which was written a day before the signing of the Al-Sharaa-Abdi agreement:
The so-called “New Syria” honeymoon is over. The true nature of the Islamist jihadist regime led by Abu Mohammad Al-Jolani is now fully exposed. Once presented as rebranded political figure Al-Sharaa, Jolani has returned to his former self, orchestrating massacres against Alawite communities along Syria’s coast, claiming to target remnants of the Assad regime.
(Source: X)
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reports that 1,311 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the ongoing violence. Social media is filled with videos showing Alawite victims being brutally executed, many of them publicly humiliated before suffering even worse fates.
(Source: X.com/aboalialqasemi/status/1898853933482742207)
The Alawites targeted in these massacres are often equated with Bashar Al-Assad’s Baathist regime. This reflects Jolani’s regime, which believes Syria belongs exclusively to Sunnis, while Alawites, seen as Assad regime supporters, deserve to be humiliated and massacred. This exclusionary ideology has also marginalized other ethnic and religious minorities, particularly the Kurds.
Al-Jazeera white-washing the crimes of Abu Mohammad Al-Jolani (Source: https://x.com/MADC00M/status/1898916751636652229)
Kurds, Druze, Alawites, And Christians Are All Under Imminent Threat
Despite the Kurds’ pivotal role in fighting ISIS and other terrorist groups, sacrificing over 15,000 fighters, they have been systematically excluded from decision-making processes by Jolani’s regime. Similarly, Druze and other minority groups have been marginalized, with requests for self-defense weapons routinely denied, leaving them vulnerable.
Recent events demonstrate that disarming means remaining defenseless – vulnerable to brutal massacres like those we are witnessing now. This serves as an urgent wake-up call for all communities in Syria: They must protect themselves against Jolani’s ruthless jihadist regime.
Kurds, Druze, Alawites, and Christians are all under imminent threat from this extremist ideology. This situation should be a wake-up call for both the Syrian people and the international community. Countries like Turkey, Qatar, the UK, and others in Europe previously praised Jolani, offering him photo ops and presenting him as a new hope for Syria.
Despite repeated warnings from Kurds and Druze about giving Jolani a free pass, Western and regional actors ignored the reality on the ground. Syria’s ethnic and religious minorities were sidelined, denied a fair role in shaping the country’s future, and left unprotected. These recent massacres have proven the validity of those warnings.
Kurdish leaders have condemned the violence. Kurdish Foreign Minister Ilham Ahmed emphasized the necessity of protecting civilians and advocated for dialogue as the only solution to Syria’s future: “We are deeply concerned about the escalating violence on the Syrian coast, harming innocent civilians, especially women and children. We call for the protection of all civilians and emphasize that only peaceful solutions and dialogue can end the crisis. The suffering caused by injustice and the former regime’s legacy has deepened divisions. We reject the punishment of entire sects as ‘regime remnants’ and urge Damascus to stop its advances to avoid further tragedy.”[3]
Mazloum Abdi, commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), called for accountability for those responsible for the mass killings and stressed the need for justice for Syria’s ethnic and religious minorities.[4]
Ruken Jamal, spokesperson for the Kurdish Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), condemned the massacres as attacks on all Syrian women and reaffirmed their commitment to resisting the violence. Jamal said they will not accept such brutal attacks and stand against them with their struggle.[5]
The U.S. Must Take A Firmer Stance Against Jolani
In the U.S., figures like National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard and Secretary of State Marco Rubio also cautioned that the leaders in Damascus could not be trusted. Gabbard noted that Syria was now controlled by the Al-Qaeda offshoot HTS, led by an Islamist Jihadist who celebrated the 9/11 attacks and was responsible for the deaths of many American soldiers.[6]
Rubio echoed this sentiment during his confirmation hearing, reiterating his condemnation of the atrocities against Alawites, Druze, Kurds, and Christians.[7]
The U.S. must take a firmer stance against Jolani, HTS, and their so-called transitional government, while urgently prioritizing the protection of Syria’s ethnic and religious minorities and empowering the Kurds to become the key actor in shaping Damascus’ future.
From the outset, Israel warned the international community about Jolani’s regime being a jihadist Islamist regime with a violent past. Yet, Europe turned a blind eye. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar have been outspoken from the beginning, stressing that Jolani and his inner circle cannot be trusted.[8]
Saar has consistently warned that these individuals are criminals in disguise and that the West must recognize the true nature of this regime. Saar’s call for international action against these atrocities has proven to be valid.[9]
In contrast, the European Union’s response has been disappointing. Rather than condemning the brutal massacres of Alawite civilians, the EU blamed pro-Assad insurgents, ignoring the atrocities committed against innocent people.[10]
While European countries have started issuing more cautious statements, especially following Rubio’s condemnation, stronger action is still needed. Meanwhile, Turkish and Qatari media continue to push the narrative that pro-Assad loyalists are responsible for the violence, portraying Jolani’s regime as merely responding to an insurgency. These governments and their media outlets focus on advancing their own agendas, ignoring the grim realities on the ground.
There Will Be No “New Syria” Under Islamic Ideology
Kurds, as Syria’s largest ethnic minority – comprising 20 percent of the population – must realize that there will be no “New Syria” under an Islamic, jihadist, Sunni-dominated ideology. Since December, despite the passing months, no effort has been made to form an inclusive government or adopt policies that reflect Syria’s multicultural fabric. Instead, ethnic and religious minorities have been further marginalized and stripped of their identities.
The atrocities against Alawites should serve as a warning: Similar massacres could occur elsewhere if minorities are left defenseless. Had the Kurds not maintained strong, organized forces, or had the Druze not armed themselves to protect their territories, they too would have faced the same fate.
This sends a clear message: Syria’s future must follow a different path. The Kurds, in particular, now clearly see that they must adopt a more assertive stance in shaping their future. Turkey has played a highly negative role, actively working to impose Jolani’s Sunni jihadist rule over Syria, with Qatar supporting the same approach. However, time has shown that this strategy is neither viable nor sustainable.
Kurds must pursue a bolder approach, forming strategic alliances with other minorities, especially the Druze, to establish a federation or confederation that embraces all marginalized communities, including Christians and Yazidi Kurds. This inclusive, multicultural federation could counter jihadist forces and promote regional stability.
Israel’s role in this vision is crucial. As a regional power and a beacon of hope for minorities, Israel has a vested interest in preventing Syria from becoming a safe haven for jihadists. Strengthening the Kurds and neutralizing Turkey’s destructive influence should be key priorities. The Kurdish-led administration remains the only viable alternative to Jolani’s Sunni jihadist rule, with over 100,000 battle-hardened forces and a proven model of governance that contrasts sharply with the extremist rule in Damascus. It is in the interests of the U.S., Europe, and Israel to empower the Kurds, so their model can serve as a blueprint for Syria’s future.
The Autonomous Administration of North and Eastern Syria (AANES) represents the most developed, progressive, and inclusive part of Syria – a stark contrast to the extremist rule elsewhere in the country. In AANES, all ethnic and religious identities are respected, women hold leading roles in society, and Kurdish, Arabic, and Syriac are recognized as official languages. This inclusive governance model should be supported and expanded, rather than allowing Syria to fall under the oppressive, regressive rule of Al-Qaeda-linked jihadists.
The West Must Counter Turkish And Qatari Influence
The U.S. and Israel should focus on empowering the Kurds instead of some Western countries pressuring them to accept integration with the Damascus regime under HTS, where they would be sidelined. The Kurdish-led administration offers the only real alternative to jihadist rule and must play a central role in shaping Syria’s future. This vision embraces diversity as a strength, not a threat, and ensures that other oppressed minorities, including Christians, Druze, and Alawites, can secure their place in a democratic, pluralistic, and decentralized Syria.
So far, however, Western countries have pressured the Kurds to suppress their demands and accept life under HTS, largely due to Turkish influence. Turkey, with Qatar’s backing, has played a destructive role in Syria, sidelining the Kurds while empowering HTS and other radical factions. Many figures within the current Syrian administration hold Turkish citizenship, further highlighting Ankara’s direct influence over Syria’s affairs. Meanwhile, Ankara and Jolani hypocritically criticize Israel, despite Turkey’s long history of ethnic cleansing against the Kurds and demographic engineering in Afrin and other Kurdish regions.
The West must recognize this reality and counter Turkish and Qatari influence, which continues to enable jihadist groups and obstruct real progress toward a stable Syria. Instead of tolerating Turkey’s destructive, excluding, Sunni jihadi agenda, Western powers should work to strengthen the secular, pro-Western Kurdish-led administration as Syria’s best hope for a democratic and pluralistic future and ensure Kurdish people receive their fair share in a truly pluralistic, multicultural, new Syria. Otherwise, Kurds need to pursue their own path and declare independence in their ancestral land: Kurdistan (Rojavaye Kurdistan, Western Kurdistan), where they can live freely with their distinctive identity, language, and culture. As a people who understand them best, the Israeli people and state should support the Kurds strongly.
An independent Kurdish state in Syria, as suggested by representative Brian Mast (FL-R), who is chairman of the U.S. Congress Foreign Affairs Committee,[11] will be a safe homeland for the Kurds, long oppressed by both the Assad regime and sidelined by the current Jolani regime, and a reliable, friendly ally for Israel as well.
*Azado Kurdian is a Kurdish scholar and expert on Kurdish, Turkish and Syrian affairs.
[1] Anfenglishmobile.com/rojava-syria/mazloum-abdi-and-ahmed-al-sharaa-sign-agreement-78335, March 10, 2025.
[2] Akhbarkum-akhbarna.com/archives/55152, March 11, 2025.
[3] X.com/ElhamAhmadSDC/status/1898375494237585808, March 8, 2025
[4] Reuters.com/world/middle-east/syrian-kurdish-commander-demands-accountability-those-behind-mass-killings-2025-03-09, March 9, 2025.
[5] X.com/YPJDefense/status/1898791920081535001, March 9, 2025.
[6] Foxnews.com/world/tulsi-gabbards-warning-senate-syria-proves-prophetic-al-qaeda-linked-regime-slaughters-minorities, March 8, 2025.
[7] State.gov/the-escalation-of-fighting-and-civilian-deaths-in-syria/, March 9, 2025.
[8] Timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/saar-calls-new-syrian-government-an-unelected-bunch-of-jihadists, March 9, 2025.
[9] T.co/A8V8BcXdS1, March 9, 2025.
[10] X.com/eu_eeas/status/1898487797348225207?s=46, March 8, 2025.
[11] Rudaw.net/english/world/08032025, March 8, 2025.
