The transcript of the interview can be read here https://links.org.au/salih-muslim-democratic-unity-party-dialogue-hts-and-turkey-and-rojavas-example-democratic-and
*The transitional government led by HTS marks a significant shift in Syria’s political landscape. How does the AANES view dialogue or coexistence with such groups, particularly given HTS’s history? Is there room for negotiation to achieve a peaceful and inclusive future for Syria?* Yes. First of all I congratulate all the Syrian people for this victory. They have been able to get rid of the despotic regime that has controlled Syria for [nearly] 60 years. And in particular, this HTS that has taken power in Damascus. They are now governing, they are talking about coexistence with all the components of Syria. The Kurds, the Syriacs and the other communities — and also from a religious point of view with the Yazidis, Christians, Alawites and Shiites — everybody can live together in a democratic Syria. So this is a big step towards the democratic Syria that we are fighting for. As for the dialogue, I think it’s too early to talk about it now, because we still [need] two or three days. But we are looking for ways to contact them. Maybe we can go to Damascus and they can come to us. We’re trying and we’re looking for the ways. And now maybe we have some contacts through mediators like the International Coalition [to Defeat ISIS], but I think we have to do it face-to-face, or get together, to discuss the problems of the Syrians. For their past, of course, everybody knows that HTS has a history. There was al-Nusra Front, and there were jihadists and so on in the beginning. But now they are trying to change. So we will try to be helpful and we will try to help them to succeed in this change, to be able to deal with all Syrians, I mean, the different components. But the problem is not them, the problem is the other group that they are coordinating with, the SNA. This group is completely different. This group [SNA] are mercenaries used by Turkey, and Turkey has used them in many places. They have used them in Libya, in Somalia, in Kenya, in Azerbaijan and now they are using them here. Turkey are pushing the SNA against us and still there are some clashes in our areas, I mean between the administration, the Syrian Democratic Forces, and these groups in Manbij (Minbîc) and elsewhere. And their attacks haven’t stopped yet. Even the Turkish government [itself], they are still attacking through the border using drones, shelling and so on, still continuing. But we are trying to achieve a good deal with HTS in Damascus...... -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Groups.io Links: You receive all messages sent to this group. View/Reply Online (#34033): https://groups.io/g/marxmail/message/34033 Mute This Topic: https://groups.io/mt/110089923/21656 -=-=- POSTING RULES & NOTES #1 YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. #2 This mail-list, like most, is publicly & permanently archived. #3 Subscribe and post under an alias if #2 is a concern. #4 Do not exceed five posts a day. -=-=- Group Owner: [email protected] Unsubscribe: https://groups.io/g/marxmail/leave/13617172/21656/1316126222/xyzzy [[email protected]] -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
