Armed groups in Syria must lay down arms to take part in National Dialogue Conference

By Muhammed Karabacak, Esref Musa and Serdar Dincel

DAMASCUS/ISTANBUL (AA) - Armed groups in Syria that resist disarming and reject the authority of the Defense Ministry will not be invited to the National Dialogue Conference, said Hassan al-Dughaim, spokesman for a Preparatory Committee for the conference.

Talking to reporters in the capital Damascus, Hassan al-Dughaim added that the PKK/YPG terror group does not represent the Syrian people.

"The conference is a patriotic platform that rejects sectarian and ethnic divisions. The conference is a national dialogue, not a demonstration of military power.

"Those who do not surrender their weapons to the Ministry of Defense will definitely not be invited. Armed groups and military formations will not participate in the conference as they are against the nature of the dialogue," he added.

Since the fall of the Assad regime, the PKK/YPG has attempted to exploit regional instability to create a “terror corridor” along the border with Türkiye.

In its 40-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 people, including women and children. The YPG is the PKK's Syrian offshoot.

Dughaim underscored that participation is open to all Syrians and everyone from all over Syria has the right to attend the conference in person, adding that the conference's decisions are not binding, but are advisory and will be submitted to the president.

Pointing out that the elements of the ousted Assad regime who committed human rights violations will neither take part in the future of Syria nor in the conference, he noted that their place is in courts of law.

Members of the Preparatory Committee for the National Dialogue Conference, which was established Wednesday by President Ahmad Al-Sharaa to build a future and write a social contract based on national reconciliation, justice, reform and representation among the Syrian people, held a press conference in the capital Damascus.

The first statement of the committee was read out by Houda Atassi, a member of the Preparatory Committee, after which members of the committee answered journalists' questions.

Atassi said that the conference aims to discuss social, political and economic governmental issues for a future based on national reconciliation, justice, and comprehensive representation.

She noted that the conference aims to ensure the real participation of different sectors from all provinces and components, as well as to hold an inclusive dialogue that reflects social and political diversity and transcends borders and classes.

Noting that women will play an active role in building the new Syria, Atassi highlighted that no special quotas are applied to anyone and that participation will be based on merit.

For his part, Dughaim stated that the date of the conference will be decided after meeting with citizens, conducting various visits and presenting working documents.

He underlined that the Preparatory Committee is an independent national committee, and according to the bylaws, the chairperson will be elected by the committee.

- 'Conference represents all Syrians, not specific group'

Dughaim said that the number of participants will depend on public consultations, adding: “The conference represents all Syrians, not a specific group.

"The views of our people, especially those living in provinces such as Hasakah, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa, will be taken into account and direct communication will be established with them."

“Important issues such as the constitutional structure, the executive, legislative and judicial powers, the economic vision, the reconstruction process, transitional justice, unity, sovereignty and stability of the country will be shaped by the participants," he further stated.