Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Shara, has called for unity and cooperation among the country’s diverse groups in a two-day national dialogue conference. The event, which took place in Damascus, aimed to chart a path forward for the nation after decades of dictatorship. However, the Kurdish-led militia that controls much of Syria’s northeast was not invited.
Al-Shara emphasized the need for Syrians to stand together and support each other’s recovery, promising a new constitution and a unified national military force. The conference released 18 non-binding recommendations, covering issues such as drafting a new constitution, bringing all arms under state control, and resurrecting the country’s economy.
The conference condemned Israel’s incursion into southern Syria, but it remains unclear how Syria’s leadership will respond to this demand. Arab and Western leaders have urged the government to establish an inclusive representative government before restoring ties with Syria.
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, a U.S.-backed militia, was not invited to the conference, despite some Syrians’ skepticism about its representation. The committee organizing the event stated that the militia does not represent all Syrian Kurds.
Many Syrians are skeptical about the dialogue’s outcome, given the deeply divided country and sectarian tensions. The conference organizers have emphasized that there is no direct link between the formation of the new government and the dialogue, but they are happening simultaneously.
The national dialogue is seen as a crucial step towards drafting a new constitution for Syria, which may take several years to complete. However, the conference’s absence of major players, including the Kurdish-led militia, raises concerns about its effectiveness in addressing the country’s divisions.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/25/world/middleeast/syria-national-dialogue-kurds.html