The civil war that started in Syria in 2011 entered a new phase with the overthrow of the Baath regime. Since the bedinning of the civil war, the peoples in North and East Syra have formed the Democratic Autonomous Administration with the Third Way. In this system, where all beliefs and peoples are included in the administration, a system was built for women to live equally in all areas, especially in the administration. 

 

Following the attacks by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) that resulted int the overthrow of the 61 years Baath regime, the uncetainty in the country continues. HTS-affiliated forces are carrying out attacks against Alawites, while Turkey and the affiliated Syrian National Army (SNA) continue its offensives against North and East Syria.

 

'DEMOCRATIC NATION AGAINST THE NATION-STATE MODEL'

 

Making avaluations to Mezopotamya Agency (MA) on the current situraiton in Syria, Democratic Union Party (Partiya Yekitîya Demokratîk-PYD) Co-presidency Committee member Aldar Xelil stated that the solution to the ongoing crisis in Syria will and with the realisation of the Democratic Nation. 

 

"The nation-state is a structure that ignores the historical and cultural richness of the Middle East. This systam has prepared the ground for oppressive regimes by assimilating differences. Especially after the Baath regime came to power in 1963, a single-identity government was imposed on the basis of Arab nationalis, and other peoples and beliefs were systematically oppressed," said Aldar Xelil.

 

THE ROLE OF WOMEN: PIONEER OF CHANGE

 

Noting that thousands of years of coexistence culture was destroyed with the Baath regime, Aldar Xelil emphasised that with the wave of rebellion in 2011, the search for an alternative model started and the Democratic Nation Project was born as a result of this search. Aldar Xelil stated the following: "Democratic nation is a solution based on equal representation of peoples, freedom of belief and protection of cultural richness. This model has proved that coexistence is possible in the region. One of the cornerstones of the democratic nation project is the women's struggle for freedom. Women's active role in social life was decisive in the success of the project. Women are not only a social dynamic but also the pioneers of change and transformation. The years-long struggle of Mr Abdullah Öcalan and the perspective he developed on women's freedom played a critical role in the construction of this project."

 

SOCIAL CONTRACT

 

Stressed that in 2014 the social contract formed with the participation of all peoples in North and East Syria is a concrete product of the democratic nation project Aldar Xelil said that this contract based on the equal representation of peoples is based on the peaceful coexistence of differences. "The social contract is an indication that the peoples have developed a model of governance based on peace and brotherhood with their own will. Today, North and East Syria sets an example to the whole worl as a region where the peoplles live in ğeace with their common will," she said. 

 

ATTACKS AND THREATS OF TURKEY

 

Aldar Xelil stated that the democratic nation model is a source of hope not only for North and East Syria but also for the future of the whole Syria, adding that this model is under constant threat due to the attacks of Turkey and the armed groups it supports. Aldar Xelil stated that Turkey is trying to create fear and chaos among the peoples with the attacks it has organised in regions such as Manbij, Til Temir and Tishreen and added: "These attacks threaten not only the autonomous structure of North and East Syria, but also the unity and future of Syria. The groups supported by Turkey can lead to the disintegration of Syria by fuelling sectarian and ethnic-based conflicts. The international community needs to take action against these interventions."

 

PROPOSALS FOR A SOLUTION

 

Stating that a system based on the democratic nation project should be built in order to ensure peace and stability in Syria, Aldar Xelil made the following suggestions regarding the new system to be established: "A national congress should be organized to bring together all social components of Syria. In this congress, a new constitution based on equal representation of the peoples should be prepared. This constitution should guarantee the cultural and political rights of the peoples and reject centralised government. Kurds, Arabs, Assyrians and other components should have equal say. The active participation of all components must be ensured in the construction of the new system. This will form the basis of a true democratic system. Women should be encouraged to take a leading position in social and political life. Women's leadership is vital for the success of the democratic nation project. Instead of a centralised system under the rule of a single group or party, a model in which local governments are strengthened should be developed. As in the past, centralised structures will only deepen Syria's problems."

 

LIFE IN PEACE

 

"This model, which is being implemented in North and East Syria, is based on equal representation and peaceful coexistence of peoples. If this model spreads throughout Syria and becomes a system, many problems in the Middle East can be solved. However, if this model is not implemented, conflicts and crises will continue."

 

MA / Delal Akyüz