Message to Turkey from SDF leader Mazlum Abdi

Mazlum Abdi, the leader of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), attended the 6th Middle East Peace and Security Forum (MEPS 2025) held in the city of Duhok in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) and made significant statements. The forum was hosted by KRI Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and brought together many high-level Kurdish, Iraqi, and international participants.

In his speech, Abdi evaluated the current situation in northeastern Syria and touched upon the issue of integrating the SDF into the Syrian army. Abdi stated that the March 10 Agreement was a critical step in halting the conflicts in Syria. However, it has been reported that many clashes have occurred in the region since March, with large-scale fighting taking place particularly around Aleppo.

Emphasizing that Kurdish rights have been recognized within an official political framework for the first time, Abdi said, "In the past, the Kurdish issue was ignored. Now, the March 10 Agreement addresses this clearly. The rights of Kurds and all Syrian peoples must be guaranteed in the new constitutional structure." He argued that a solution in Syria would be possible through a decentralized structure.

MESSAGE TO TURKEY

In his message directed at Turkey, Abdi stated that they support the peace process in Turkey, saying, "We will do our best to ensure these efforts progress." Furthermore, expressing that Turkey should not view the SDF as a threat, he added, "The solution lies in constructive relations and dialogue."

MEPS 2025 in Duhok continues with sessions discussing security and stability issues in Syria, the KRI, Iraq, and the Middle East. The conference brings together political leaders, academics, diplomats, and experts from the region to address various perspectives on a range of topics. Organized annually by the American University of Kurdistan in the KRI, the conference provides a platform where important regional issues are discussed.