ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Nour al-Din Issa Ahmed, governor of the Kurdish province of Hasaka in northeast Syria (Rojava), said on Tuesday that the ongoing integration process between the Kurdish administration and the new Syrian government is progressing well. He said no timetable has been set for the process.
"There is no specific timeline - such as days or months - but there are efforts to escalate the integration process so that we can serve our people in the province. Good steps have been taken and the process continues in various fields. Good steps have been taken in the military field. And good steps have been taken regarding [integrating local forces into] the interior ministry. [Rojava forces] are being formed in a structure," he told Rudaw's Viviyan Fetah.
"A new structure is being formed from two already existing structures. This should not be interpreted as dissolution or termination. Some say that the Autonomous Administration has ended. It has ended but it has been embedded into the state. If you go deep into the issue, we can say it has been promoted," he added.
He also touched on a range of issues, including Kurdish education, the fate of Kurds imprisoned during the latest clashes between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian Arab Army in December and January, and the return of people displaced during unrest in the country.
He said out of more than 1,000 people captured by Damascus forces during the clashes, around 800 have been released, adding that the remaining detainees are expected to be released next week.
The governor said Kurds can hold top positions in the central government rather than being limited to deputy and assistant roles.
The following if the full translation of the interview with Hasaka governor:
Rudaw: Doctor, thank you so much for hosting us.
Nour al-Din Issa Ahmed: You are welcome. First of all, we would like to thank Rudaw channel and its entire administration. In recent times, you have spared no effort and did everything within your ability to support Hasaka province. We thank you.
Has a special budget been allocated for Hasaka province by the Damascus government? Is it clear how much the budget for Hasaka province will be?
On this matter, we can say that Hasaka province is like the other provinces in all of Syria. However, as a special characteristic, we can say that the eastern provinces such as Hasaka, Deir ez-Zor, and Raqqa have unique features in terms of budget. We can say that their resources and wealth are greater than others. Therefore, in discussions and as a decision, there will be a special budget for them. We can say that there will be a number of economic resources used for the development of the province. This has been said and decided. As an initial step, President Ahmed al-Sharaa said that one billion dollars will be allocated for the eastern provinces.
One billion US dollars?
Yes.
Is this only for Hasaka province?
No, it is for all three provinces; Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor, and Hasaka.
Has this been designated for one year?
Correct, this is for the beginning of the year 2026.
Doctor, everyone knows that Hasaka province has many service-related problems. Starting from roads all the way to water and electricity shortages. What projects do you have planned to be completed within a year? I am talking about service projects that will be delivered to the people within a year.
As Hasaka province, as you saw after the recent events, we have been here for nearly two months. Yes, there was already a structure in place, as the Autonomous Administration had been operating and providing services under its own name. But after the January 29 agreement, at this stage we want to create integration between both structures, and establish a new structure so that we can provide services and meet the needs of the people. This structure will be formed and begin its work. In this regard, our main program is to truly solve the first issue facing us, which is Hasaka’s water problem. As we all know, Hasaka has had a water problem since 2019. As a city of nearly one million people, it has remained without water. We made efforts and exerted all our power to solve this issue and resume operation in Alouk. The institutions of the Autonomous Administration and the energy ministry provided electricity. International organizations such as the International Red Cross also played their role regarding putting Alouk station back to operation.
When will it resume operation?
We believe that this should not take a long time. As we said, we wanted to completely solve Hasaka’s water issue by June. The power issue must have been resolved. We established an emergency line and supplied Hasaka’s water through pumping stations. The Energy Authority of the Autonomous Administration also worked with the Ministry of Energy. This too is in the integration phase. They are working as a team, as a committee.
Likewise, there is another major line from Tishreen Dam to the Mabrouka station. It will provide service for Sare Kani and Alouk station. The water issue for Hasaka was truly our first issue. The second issue is education. This is also being handled gradually. It too is in the integration phase. We accelerated this because we did not want students to suffer harm. In the final phase, after these events, we are trying to solve this issue.
There is also the issue of healthcare. Hospitals have been opened and services have been provided. We are working on appointing doctors and other matters. Regarding municipalities and service affairs, cleaning, and other matters, this too is in an integration phase. Frankly, it has been somewhat delayed, but to some extent it has been done. It will also be resolved. New mayors and other appointments will be announced. A new structure will be established. This will happen in the coming days. We want to solve these issues gradually and take practical steps.
Doctor, you mentioned integration. Integration includes many dossiers. What stage has the integration reached now? What is the timeline you have set? Many people speak of four months - that within four months, full integration will happen, the Autonomous Administration, with all its institutions, will join the Syrian government’s institutions and bodies. Is there such a thing? Has such a timeframe been set?
There is no specific timeline - such as days or months - but there are efforts to escalate the integration process so that we can serve our people in the province. Good steps have been taken and the process continues in various fields. Good steps have been taken in the military field. And good steps have been taken regarding [integrating local forces into] the interior ministry. [Rojava forces] are being formed in a structure… A new structure is being formed from two already existing structures. This should not be interpreted as dissolution or termination. Some say that the Autonomous Administration has ended. It has ended but it has been embedded into the state. If you go deep into the issue, we can say it has been promoted…
But will people and the institutions here make decisions independently or decisions will be made in Damascus?
Let me say this clearly. We Kurds living in Hasaka province are part of Syria. Kurds alongside Arabs and Christians should be allowed to play their roles as per their capability. This issue is mostly related to Kurds. A manager in his field in Hasaka province can become a minister in Syria. Regarding independence in decision-making, as I said, we are part of Syria. There is independence and power. Recently, administrative powers have expanded after the new government [came to power]... This integration is an achievement and we should not fear it.
Will all the employees of the Autonomous Administration remain in their positions? Or due to the change in the structure, there will not be the need for such a number of employees? Will anyone be laid off?
In general, within the framework of the agreement, all employees of the Autonomous Administration will join the ministries and institutions of the government. However, this does not mean everyone will remain in their current position. Evaluations will be conducted. According to their expertise and capabilities, new positions will be found for them. This was one of the articles of the agreement - that all the employees of the Autonomous Administration will remain in the positions.
However, because of the difficult circumstances and the exceptional situation the region went through, many people may have entered certain jobs despite lacking formal qualifications. In that case, what will happen to those employees?
As we said, in the structures of the institutions and ministries of the government, there is job classification and hierarchy and even those without a degree can obtain a job. Therefore, there is a chance for everyone to be included.
How many military and civilian employees of the Autonomous Administration will be integrated into the state?
We previously said over 40,000. We believe there will be about 40-46,000 employees, including teachers and service staff.
So this will not affect the employees of the former regime?
Yes. Not just them but all will remain. Those of the Autonomous Administration will join them. Those who were previously fired due to reasons related to revolution and security and were oppressed by the ousted regime of Baath will also return. Therefore, no one will affect the other. As per this integration, everyone will remain in their position in this structure as per their capability.
Is the integration going well?
So far it is good and it is going well. Sometimes in meetings there are challenges but they are not ones that can suspend the process.
Rudaw: Militarily, when will the SDF join the government army?
As far as we know, this too is in process. There is a structure. This has been announced to the media. As governor of Hasaka province, there are three brigades. They are within one division. Many appointments have also been issued. For example, the deputy defense minister for the eastern region is from the SDF. This means that he is an SDF commander. The division commander is also from the SDF. So these appointments were made. Their structure itself is being organized within the brigades. Gradually, they too are joining the integration process.
It is said that the deputy foreign minister will also be someone from northern and eastern Syria, meaning a Kurd. Is there something like that?
As the Autonomous Administration, with our staff, leadership, and generally, previously we were in Hasaka province. When this agreement and integration happened, we opened a path. There should also be ministers, not only deputy ministers. We should hold positions at the highest levels in the Syrian government. This agreement paved the way for this. Deputy minister, assistant minister—these appointments are not fixed yet. As I said, there is a chance [for top positions]. Why not minister? Why a deputy minister?
Is it possible?
Yes.
Has anyone been designated?
No, we are speaking generally. The way has been paved and we have been part of the state structure as a whole, meaning the institutions and administrations of the Autonomous Administration. We will not remain in the province of Hasaka. It has to be understood that since we are part of Syria the way has been paved [for positions in Damascus].
In recent times, 800-1000 displaced people from Afrin have returned. When will the next batch return? Are you aware?
Two days ago, the last batch returned. A number of convoys have returned. I believe the last one was the fourth…
It was the third one.
It was the third one. It included a large number [of families]. Recently, this was organized as a program. There was coordination between the governor of Aleppo and the internal security forces in Afrin for the road to be reopened. In the future, everyone is free to return. They do not have to return as part of [state-facilitiated] convoys.
Does this mean that there will no longer be new convoys?
Yes, if someone wants to go today, they can simply get in [a car] and go.
What if his house has been confiscated?
At the beginning there were obstacles, which is why it started with convoys. We said that people who had already been displaced should not face another displacement, and should return to their homes. We are working as a committee on this. Anyone with homes and property in Afrin can return and go to their homes. Work is ongoing on both sides. Everyone in Syria should return to their hometown. This applies to Sare Kani, Gire Spi. But good steps have been taken for Afrin.
I was going to mention Sare Kani. Why has nothing been done for the return of its IDPs? When will they return to their homes?
Work is being done for Sare Kani as well. Committees went to Sare Kani, meeting with the people there. We said those who were displaced to Afrin came from elsewhere. Meetings were held with those who are in [Kurdish] houses in Sare Kani. They will also return to their homes [leave Sare Kani]. Those in Sare Kani are mostly from Hasaka province and some are from Deir [ez-Zor]. They should also be convinced to return. This has to be done through a decision by a committee… We want everyone to return to their homes with security. There are slow steps but preparations are underway.
Is it clear when the people of Sare Kani will return to their homes?
I believe in the near future.
Many IDPs lived in schools. Education was spared from the impact of the recent clashes in the region. When will the education resume? How will it be?
Education struggled this year due to the recent incident but we are trying to make sure that next year everything is ready in terms of logistics and study materials. This year, the situation was not good as schools were filled with IDPs. We want to reopen these schools and repair them so that they are ready for the new academic year.
How will Kurdish be taught at schools in Rojava? Will it be a lesson a week, mandatory or optional?
This is part of Decree 13. We believe that this is not enough to ensure that Kurdish rights are achieved. Work is underway for better things to be done. We are hopeful about it.
The government has decided to add Kurdish to its education system but it is limited to one lesson. Right?
Yes this has been taken as a decision. However, committees are working on the whole curriculum. This has been discussed with the ministry of education. Talks are underway and better things are expected to follow.
SDF commander said that 1,070 people were kidnapped in the recent clashes. As per our track, 800 of them have been released. Can we say 200 are yet to be released?
The number could be 200-300. We do not have an exact number. These [people] from both sides - SDF and the Syrian government - have]to be [released] in the near future. I believe next week all will be released…
We often meet the families of the captives. Their daughters remain unaccounted for. Are women among the 200-300 people you said will be released?
We did not ask specifically. However, anything we do is meaningless if the captives are released. As we previously said, our efforts aim at releasing all of them. We did not mention names before they prepare lists they send them to us. Regarding the missing people, committees have to be formed to know something about their fate.
Last year, elections were held in Syria. Hasaka and Kobane did not take part. We have learned that a committee will visit you next week to hold elections in Kobane and Hasaka province. Is it true?
Not just next week, negotiations are ongoing on the issue. We have to start but no date has been set. It has to take place because it is part of the agreement.
How many seats are allocated for Hasaka province?
I think 10.
Will they be determined through voting? Because 30 percent of the seats are determined by the president. Is this the case in Hasaka?
No general election was held [in Syria]. It was limited. Some people were chosen from each province. We have not discussed the method for Hasaka but it will be in the future.
You said that Hasaka is one of the 14 provinces of Syria. What happened to the special characteristics for Kurds mentioned in the agreement?
What do you mean by special characteristics?
There was no law for political parties. What will happen to Kurdish political parties? What will happen to the Semalka border crossing?
Regarding Semalka crossing, there is a [central] authority for border crossings. This is also part of the integration. Semalka crossing was initially opened for humanitarian purposes. The new structure running it will be made of the staff of the Autonomous Administration.
Will the crossing remain?
Yes, it will as long as it is part of negotiations.
Finally, do the US or the European countries - I mean the international community - have any projects to support Hasaka province directly or indirectly?
Many meetings have been held with international organizations regarding services. They said they will provide assistance. They are discussing it. For example, the ICRC said it will take care of Alouk station. UNICEF is among other international organizations willing to support…