Eurasia Press & News
The General Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Mazloum Abdi, congratulated Syrians on the first anniversary of the fall of the “defunct regime”, only hours after celebrations were banned in areas under his forces’ control.
Abdi considered that with the fall of the regime, Syria had entered a new phase and reached a critical turning point that ended decades of tyranny and division.
In a post on his account on the X platform on Sunday, 7 December, Abdi said that the new phase in Syria’s history must be based on justice in a way that serves the interests of Syrians.
He expressed hope that the current political developments will help strengthen stability and build more representative institutions.
The SDF commander reaffirmed his commitment to the 10 March Agreement, describing it as “a foundation for building a democratic, decentralized state”.
Banning celebrations
Despite Abdi’s congratulatory message, his remarks come at a time when areas under SDF control are witnessing tight restrictions on celebrations and activities related to the anniversary of liberation.
The Autonomous Administration in North and East Syria had issued a circular on Saturday, 6 December, banning any gatherings or mass or social events across its areas of control on 7 and 8 December.
In its circular, the Administration said the decision comes in light of current security conditions and the increased activity of “terrorist cells” seeking to sow sedition.
It is considered a step necessary to preserve citizens’ safety, public security and civil peace.
The circular also banned the firing of live ammunition and fireworks under penalty of legal liability, and instructed security bodies to enforce the measures.
The Autonomous Administration extended congratulations to residents of northeastern Syria and to all Syrians on the occasion.
It said it looks forward to a phase in which Syria flourishes with democracy, pluralism and participation within a decentralized state.
In another statement issued on Sunday, 7 December, the Autonomous Administration voiced sweeping criticism of measures taken by the transitional government over the past year.
According to the Administration, the national dialogue, the formation of the government and the recent parliamentary elections did not reflect the core demands of Syrians nor their lived reality.
It linked the dialogue process, government formation, and elections to the massacres witnessed in the coastal region of Syria (the Syrian coast in western Syria) and in Suwayda (southern Syria), and to the severe social fragmentation that followed, which encouraged hate speech, in its words.
Practices closer to the Ba’ath regime
The Administration argued that these steps are closer to the practices of the “Ba’ath regime” itself over the past half-century.
It said the former regime sidelined national forces and that transparency was absent amid monopolization of decision-making and disregard for the popular will.
The statement recalled the decades of Ba’athist rule and the accompanying policies of marginalization, authoritarianism and suppression of free will.
It added that the massacres committed in the coastal region and in Suwayda shattered the principle of national cohesion and produced a dangerous social rupture that fueled hate speech, incitement and extremism.
The Administration called on the government to adopt a comprehensive, inclusive national policy.
It also demanded the launch of a national dialogue that includes all components, guarantees the safe return of the displaced and refugees, and activates swift mechanisms to achieve the goals of the Syrian people in all fields.
On Monday, 8 December, cities across Syria are marking the first year since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s rule, in an atmosphere that reflects the joy of liberation after decades of authoritarianism.
