Syrian Kurdistan's PYD meets pro-Barzani ENKS party

HASAKA, Syrian Kurdistan,— The ruling Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD), the largest and most influential political force in Syrian Kurdistan, held a meeting on Tuesday in Hasaka with the Syrian Kurdish National Council (KNC/ENKS), a small opposition bloc composed of 12 minor Kurdish factions.

The discussions, aimed at bridging the divide between the two groups, focused on Kurdish unity in Syria and the formation of a joint committee to represent Kurds in negotiations with the Syria’s’ new Islamist administration in Damascus.

The meeting, closed to the media, was attended by General Mazloum Abdi, commander-in-chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the de facto army of Autonomous Administration in Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava).

According to Abdi, the purpose of the talks was to work toward a unified Kurdish stance, strengthening the Kurdish position in future talks with Damascus.

Abdi shared his thoughts on the meeting via X, stating, “Today, the two Kurdish parties, the PYD and ENKS, met to develop a joint plan and achieve Kurdish unity at this critical stage.”

He expressed satisfaction with the positive attitudes shown by both sides, adding that the meeting was a step forward in realizing a multi-ethnic, democratic Syria that ensures equal rights for all its people. “We are committed to continuing this dialogue,” Abdi said.

The meeting between the Syrian Kurdistan-ruling Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) (left) and the Syrian Kurdish National Council (KNC/ENKS), Hasaka, Syrian Kurdistan, Rojava, March 18, 2025. Photo: SDF/ANHA

While the PYD is the dominant political force in the Kurdish regions of northern Syria, the ENKS is a minor coalition of Kurdish factions, formed in 2011 under the patronage of Massoud Barzani, head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) of Iraq and backing from Turkish government.

The ENKS has consistently been pro-Turkey and has long opposed the PYD’s administration in Syrian Kurdistan. The group, with limited support among the Kurdish population, is viewed as a political tool used by Turkey and Barzani to weaken the PYD’s influence in the region.

The ENKS, lacking significant authority or popularity on the ground, is often described as a fragmented entity that does not reflect the broader Kurdish sentiment in Syrian Kurdistan.

Despite its relatively small presence, the ENKS has received backing from Ankara, which has long viewed the PYD as a threat due to its alleged ties to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a Kurdish militant group banned in Turkey.

While the ENKS claims to represent the Kurdish interests in Syria, its influence remains limited. The group’s alignment with Turkey and Barzani’s KDP has further diminished its credibility in the eyes of many Kurds in Syrian Kurdistan, where the PYD enjoys widespread support for its governance of the region.

Massoud Barzani, who established the ENKS, has long been critical of the PYD and its autonomous administration in northern Syria. In 2016, Barzani stated that supporting the PYD was akin to supporting the PKK, a claim that has fueled ongoing tensions between the Kurdish factions.

Despite these tensions, Barzani and General Abdi have recently pursued dialogue to bridge their differences. A key meeting between the two leaders took place in January 2025 in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, where Barzani and Abdi discussed the possibility of a unified Kurdish front in Syria.

Analysts suggest that Barzani was given approval and guidance from Turkey to engage in discussions with General Abdi.

Barwin Yousef, co-chair of the PYD, described the meeting with the ENKS as a necessary step, but emphasized that it was the ENKS who insisted on direct discussions with the PYD. She made it clear that the PYD would not make any decisions without consulting other Kurdish political parties.

“We did not enter this meeting without the approval of the National Unity Parties, and we will not reach an agreement without them,” Yousef stated. “We want to ensure that all Kurdish forces are included in this process.”

The Autonomous Administration of Syrian Kurdistan, widely recognized for its secular, decentralized self-rule, has focused on key values such as gender equality, direct democracy, and environmental responsibility. The region’s progressive policies have earned praise from global observers, although the administration has faced significant opposition from neighboring Turkey.