US suggested power-sharing deal for N Syria that gives equal representation to rival Kurdish groups: Report

The United States has suggested a power-sharing deal for northeastern part of Syria that gives equal representation to the rival ENKS and PYNK, according to a report by Rudaw on Sept. 16. “As the ENKS, we have accepted the 40 percent representation that the U.S. has suggested for shared governance system,” said an official from the ENKS.

Duvar English

The U.S. has suggested a power-sharing agreement for Syrian Kurdish groups to run the northeastern part of Syria which will allot 40 percent of seats each to the Kurdish National Council in Syria (ENKS) and the opposition Kurdish National Unity Parties (PYNK), reported Rudaw on Sept. 16. The remaining 20 percent will be reportedly allotted to the other parties, according to the plan put forward by the U.S.

Rudaw based its report on statements of ENKS leadership member Sulaiman Oso. “As the ENKS, we have accepted the 40 percent representation that the U.S. has suggested for the shared governance system,” Oso said.

The Kurdish National Unity Parties (PYNK) is a newly-established umbrella group jointly led by the Democratic Union Party (PYD). Turkey — a key player in the Syrian conflict – says the PYD is the Syrian offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and therefore deems it as a terror organisation.

In addition to the PYNK, the Kurdish National Council in Syria (ENKS) is another major bloc that includes several political parties. The ENKS has opposed the PYD and its autonomous administration in northeast Syria. 

U.S. officials hope the two sides put their differences aside and focus on improving the local administration in the war-torn country.   

For months, the U.S. has been mediating negotiations between the two Kurdish sides to obtain agreement on a political framework that will allow them to participate in a joint administration for northeast Syria. 

Rudaw had announced on June 17 that the ENKS and PYNK reached a “common political vision” on governance and partnership.

Rival Kurdish groups in Syria reach breakthrough agreementRival Kurdish groups in Syria reach breakthrough agreement