In an exclusive interview with Al-Youm TV Channel, Luqman Khalil, a member of the General Command of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), outlined a series of positions summarizing the SDF\u2019s vision regarding the current situation in Syria, the future of the national army, and the political process. His key statements were as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 The SDF possesses the necessary foundations to serve as the nucleus of a national army.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022Our meetings with Damascus have not yet reached final outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 We do not pose a threat to Turkey, while the latter seeks to expand its influence inside Syrian territory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 The Syrian Democratic Forces were established in response to the policies of the former regime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Regional interventions in the Syrian issue hinder understanding among Syrians themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Syrians today need a constitution that guarantees the rights of all components without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Khalil further elaborated on the SDF\u2019s position regarding the formation of a national military institution and its structural framework:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 The SDF supports the idea of forming a Syrian National Army.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 The SDF is not a factional force but an integrated military institution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 The reasons that led to the formation of the SDF have not yet disappeared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 The Women\u2019s Protection Units (YPJ) play a pioneering role in protecting the region from ISIS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 We hope to see the formation soon of a national army that defends all Syrians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 The SDF possesses the fundamental elements to serve as the core of a unified Syrian army.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Khalil also addressed the responsibility of defense and the current state of Syria\u2019s military institutions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Defending Syria is the duty of every Syrian, man or woman, who bears responsibility toward their country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 The Ministry of Defense and General Staff have so far been unable to control the armed factions operating under their banner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Although the integration of all military factions under the Ministry of Defense has been officially declared, the reality on the ground is different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 The SDF remains committed to all understandings and agreements and has not recorded any violations to date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 The health of any Syrian agreement cannot be built on the division of roles, but rather on a shared sense of responsibility toward all Syrians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Syrians have long suffered from the fragmentation caused by armed factions \u2014 this situation must be overcome through building unified military institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 We possess the capability to form a national Syrian army that represents and defends all Syrians, regardless of affiliation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also discussed the role of external powers and the dangers of mobilization and sectarian rhetoric:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 The role of external powers should remain equidistant from all Syrian forces on the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Any external support to one side at the expense of another undermines stability and consensus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Stirring division and incitement among Syrians only serves foreign interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Regarding the recent events in As-Suwayda and the local mobilizations (\u201cfaza\u2019at\u201d), Khalil stated:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 The incidents in As-Suwayda and the general mobilization were aimed at deepening divisions among Syrians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 The act of gathering at the gates of As-Suwayda and brandishing swords with threats to march north was deliberately orchestrated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Accusing Syrians of treason or separatism does not serve Syria\u2019s unity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 The Syrian government bears responsibility for the rhetoric of mobilization and hate speech between different communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Calls for \u201cfaza\u2019at\u201d and the mobilization of forces from across regions to attack Syrian areas only entrench societal divides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Khalil also underscored the inclusive nature of the SDF and its stance on national unity:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 The SDF is composed of members from all Syrian components, representing a truly Syrian force that will have a presence across all Syrian territories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Reconciliation among Syrians requires patience and mutual trust, and we have taken \u2014 and continue to take \u2014 initiatives toward such reconciliation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Any demand that contradicts the interests of all Syrians is illegitimate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 We hope soon to see the establishment of a national army that defends all Syrians without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Syria needs the collective effort of all its citizens to achieve stability, safety, and coexistence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finally, Luqman Khalil addressed the issue of foreign fighters within armed factions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Foreign elements within these factions view Syria as spoils of war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 These foreign fighters pursue ideological agendas that obstruct the building of a national Syrian homeland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 What unites us with them? We are Syrians, while they see Syria as mere plunder.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In an exclusive interview with Al-Youm TV Channel, Luqman Khalil, a member of the General Command of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), outlined a series of positions summarizing the SDF\u2019s vision regarding the current situation in Syria, the future of the national army, and the political process. His key statements were as follows: \u2022 The …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2952,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[48],"class_list":["post-2951","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-s1"],"yoast_head":"\n