RIHA – Journalist Ekrem Berekat reported that the planned meeting between the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria and the Syrian Interim Government was postponed due to Damascus’s declaration that it was “not ready” for the talks.
The meeting, originally scheduled for July 24 in France, was delayed. Following this, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot met with Mazloum Abdi, General Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in a session related to ongoing discussions between the SDF and the Syrian Interim Government. Neither the parties involved nor the French hosts gave an official reason for the postponement, but it was attributed to Damascus’s unreadiness.
Berekat, closely monitoring the negotiations, explained that the temporary government established by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) declared itself unprepared to engage. He linked this to shifting dynamics in Syria and the influence of Israeli and U.S. policies. Berekat added: “The regime wants to see the Kurds diminish within the new government. However, this is unacceptable for the Autonomous Administration, whose demands, ideology, and philosophy are clear. Damascus is not only unprepared but also lacks the autonomy to make decisions, as seen in recent events in Sweida.”
UNFULFILLED MARCH 10 AGREEMENT AND CONTINUED CONFLICT
Reflecting on previous talks between HTS leader Ahmed al-Shara and SDF commander Mazlum Abdi, Berekat noted a temporary reduction in massacres against Alawites but criticized the failure to implement the March 10 agreement fully. He emphasized that despite ongoing dialogues, the regime’s mindset remains unchanged.
WARNINGS OVER MEDIA CAMPAIGNS AND POTENTIAL CONFLICT
Berekat also warned about recent media campaigns targeting the Autonomous Administration, especially regarding disarmament. He stressed that the administration remains firm on defending its rights and suggested that if HTS insists on conflict, it will lead to its own downfall.
HTS’S VIOLENT HISTORY AND CONTINUING ATROCITIES
Highlighting HTS’s violent history against Alawites and Druze communities following the fall of the Baath regime, Berekat revealed that massacres continue, with casualty figures far exceeding official estimates. He accused HTS of attempting to disguise itself with new identities while continuing brutal attacks and said that despite international actors’ attempts to downplay these atrocities, the violence persists.
LOCAL POPULATIONS REJECT HTS, SUPPORT AUTONOMOUS ADMINISTRATION
Finally, Berekat pointed out that Syria’s diverse population rejects HTS’s ideology. He explained that the Autonomous Administration and SDF have gained legitimacy among local communities as defenders and political representatives, with surveys indicating that 60-70% of Syrians would like to see the Autonomous Administration in governance.
MA / Ceylan Sahinli