ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Salih Muslim, co-chair of northeast Syria’s (Rojava) ruling Democratic Union Party (PYD), asserted that Damascus prioritizes the dissolution of the Kurdish-led forces over forming a “proper constitution,” aiming to render the Kurdish resistance “defenseless,” in an interview released on Thursday.

“What we want is to sit down and make a proper constitution,” the chief told affiliated media, stressing the need for a constitution that represents all of the country’s ethnic and religious groups.

“The priority should have been to focus on this problem, and then address military issues. However, from the very beginning, they want the [Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces] (SDF) to be dissolved. Their aim is to leave the resistance here defenseless,” Muslim stated.

He noted that dissolving is “very dangerous” for the Kurdish movement, in the wake of “Alawite and Druze massacres,” in the Syrian coast and Suwayda.

Since its rise to power, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s government has perpetuated a series of violent crackdowns and sectarian violence against the Druze and Alawite minorities, resulting in mass civilian casualties.

In March, SDF chief Mazloum Abdi and Sharaa signed a breakthrough agreement that would see the Kurdish forces and institutions in Rojava integrate into the Syrian state apparatus. However, the implementation has been stalled with disagreements and recurring armed clashes between both sides.

While the Kurdish forces demand a democratic integration, one where the Kurdish forces retain their structure and authority, Damascus demands a centralized individual integration into the Syrian army.

On Monday, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani held a press conference with his Turkish counterpart in Damascus, with both sides accusing the Kurdish authorities of stalling the agreement.

Meanwhile, the chief accused Ankara of doing “everything it could to prevent an accord from happening.”

He further linked the Monday attacks in Aleppo’s Kurdish neighborhoods that led to numerous civilian casualties to the ministers’ meeting earlier, stating “it is impossible to separate these from each other,” and arguing that the agreement depends on Syria’s willingness to distance from Turkey’s influence.

Ankara has been keen on the dismantlement of the SDF and its individual integration with the Syrian army, due to viewing the forces as a threat and an extension of its now dissolved domestic foe the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

However, the Kurdish officials in Rojava have shown willingness to enter into dialogue with Turkey to resolve their disputes.

“The SDF's foreign relations officials say that channels with Ankara are open,” Muslim said, adding that “we have never harbored hostility toward Turkey. We have never had an action against Turkey either.”