HTS leader al-Julani makes striking remarks on PKK/YPG! Sets date for elections in Syria

The leader of the new administration in Syria, Muhammad al-Julani (Ahmed al-Shara), made statements to the Saudi Arabian television channel Al Arabiya.

Evaluating developments in the country, from constitutional order to future elections, al-Julani stated that they would not allow the country to become a "base for attacks by the terrorist organization PKK/YPG."

Al-Shara said that the National Dialogue Conference would bring together all segments of society, adding, "We will give all segments the opportunity to participate in this conference. We will explain the Syrian issue. We will leave the voting on important and sensitive decisions to be taken during the transition period to those participating in the conference."

Pointing out that they would bring services similar to those recently provided in Idlib to the entire country, al-Shara said, "We hope that Syria will not just be like Idlib, but like developed countries, and that there will be radical changes within 1 year."

Noting that qualified individuals would take part in the country's administration and that all segments of society have lived together for centuries, al-Shara said, "A constitution will determine who will govern the country."

Speaking about the ousted regime, al-Shara stated, "The regime left behind social division. We must stay away from a mentality of revenge. We must find solutions to problems wisely and calmly. There are some names who committed crimes; we will pursue and capture them. They will receive their punishment."

Al-Shara also criticized the previous administration, saying, "(During the Assad era) Damascus, the capital of civilization, turned into the factory producing the most captagon in the world."

"HTS WILL DEFINITELY BE DISBANDED"

Regarding Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), al-Shara said, "HTS will definitely be disbanded. The country is not governed with the logic of revolutionaries and groups. I think it will be disbanded at the Conference. It will be officially announced."

Responding to a question about the dissolution of the Syrian National Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces (SMDK), al-Shara replied, "This does not mean they should retreat to their homes; it means they should participate in the construction of the new Syrian state."

"SYRIA WILL NOT BE A BASE FOR THE PKK"

Al-Shara also emphasized that they would not allow Syria to become a "base for attacks by the terrorist organization PKK/YPG," stressing that Kurds are an inseparable part of Syria and that the country will not be divided.

Touching upon contacts with the PKK/YPG, which uses the name SDF, al-Shara stated that they are conducting negotiations to resolve the crisis in northeastern Syria and subsequently incorporate this group into the government's armed forces.

"ELECTIONS COULD BE HELD 4 YEARS FROM NOW"

Emphasizing that he did not achieve success alone, al-Shara explained that they toppled the regime thanks to the patience and sacrifice of the Syrian people.

"The collapse of the regime has ensured the security of the region for 50 years. The national security of Turkey and the Gulf countries has been secured," said al-Shara, adding that drafting and writing a new constitution could take about 3 years, and that elections could be held in about 4 years.

Al-Shara noted that a "comprehensive census" must be conducted for elections to be held in a healthy environment, and that this would take time.

Stating that the rule of law is in the reconstruction phase in the country, al-Shara remarked regarding the protests in the country that "it is a legitimate right for every citizen to express their opinion, but institutions must not be harmed."

Expressing that a constitution will be written that meets the expectations of the people and will be carefully prepared by expert teams, al-Shara said, "Unfortunately, the current infrastructure is not suitable for elections. We are talking about 15 million people who have been displaced. They do not even have population records. If we asked for the number of Syria's population right now, no one would know. A census of Syrians inside and outside the country will take time. Unless these are done, elections would not be accurate."

Noting that the country needs a new economic infrastructure, al-Shara said that this process would take some time and that the appropriate infrastructure would be prepared with economic experts.

ASSESSMENTS REGARDING THE US, IRAN, AND RUSSIA

Touching upon the issue of sanctions, al-Shara emphasized that in addition to calling on the US to lift sanctions on Syria, he also hopes that Iran will "re-evaluate" its interventions in the region.

Stating that with the overthrow of the Bashar al-Assad regime, "Iran lost an important ally in the region, and an important corridor providing arms support to Hezbollah by land was also destroyed," al-Shara noted the following:

"Iran's intervention in regional countries led to sectarianism and civil war. We did not enter Tehran or southern Lebanon; we entered our own villages and cities."

Ahmed al-Shara stated that despite Russia losing its ally in Damascus, which it had defended for years, the recent statements made by Russia regarding the new administration in Syria are quite positive.

Al-Shara noted that he wants Russia to leave the country in a way that is "befitting" its relationship with Syria, and that Moscow has strategic importance for Syria.

UNSC RESOLUTION 2254

Stating that they complied with the essence of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2254 during the operation launched against the regime, al-Shara assessed, "The return of displaced people was guaranteed, we released all detainees. We took over the administration peacefully. The president fled, the government took over the administration peacefully. A significant part of the essence of 2254 has been fulfilled."

"THE SYRIAN PEOPLE SAVED THEMSELVES ALONE"

Emphasizing that much has changed in Syria over time and that what has happened during this process should be taken into account, al-Shara said, "The UN and the international community, which could not save even 1 detainee or return 1 refugee to their home in 14 years, could not pressure the regime for a political solution. Today, the Syrian people have saved themselves alone."

Al-Shara also said, "We want to establish strategic relations with neighboring countries. We want stability in the region. We will not allow Syria to become a state that disrupts the stability of regional countries. Our revolution is over; we have now started to build the country."

News Source: AA