Kurdish National Council: A Solution in Syria Cannot Be Security-Based or Founded on Exclusion
ARK News.. The General Secretariat of the Kurdish National Council in Syria (KNC) issued a statement stressing the importance of safeguarding civil peace, condemning violence in all its forms, and rejecting any attempts to push Syrian society toward tension or internal confrontation, or to exploit peaceful movements in ways that distort their legitimate aims.
The following is the full text of the statement:
Syria is undergoing a delicate and sensitive phase, one year after the fall of the authoritarian Baath regime. All components of the Syrian people are looking toward new horizons on the political, economic, and security levels, in line with their legitimate aspirations to build a democratic, pluralistic state based on justice, equal citizenship, and the rule of law.
In recent weeks, Syria’s coastal regions have witnessed peaceful popular movements in which citizens expressed demands for the establishment of a federal system, the guarantee of the rights of all Syrian components, the reinstatement of employees who were arbitrarily dismissed, and improvements to deteriorating living conditions. It would have been more appropriate for the security authorities to engage with these demands in a spirit of dialogue and national responsibility, responding through peaceful means that build trust between citizens and the relevant authorities, rather than resorting to violence, increasing tensions, and further complicating the situation.
The Kurdish National Council underscores the necessity of protecting civil peace, condemning violence regardless of its source, and rejecting any attempts to drive the Syrian street toward tension or internal clashes, or to exploit peaceful protest in ways that undermine its legitimate objectives. The Council also stresses the need not to use any provocative or sabotage-related acts as a pretext to restrict public freedoms or curtail freedom of expression.
The events witnessed in Syria’s coastal areas, along with the earlier painful developments in Suwayda Governorate, clearly indicate that ignoring popular demands and persisting in policies of marginalization and exclusion will not contribute to achieving the desired stability, but will instead lead to further unrest. The Council also expresses its concern over recent developments in the city of Aleppo, particularly the violation of existing understandings in the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiya and the continuation of their siege, given the negative repercussions this has on the overall situation in Syria.
In the same context, the Kurdish National Council expresses its regret over the continued stalemate regarding opening the way for the joint Kurdish delegation to engage in a serious and responsible dialogue on a just and democratic solution to the Kurdish issue in Syria. It also emphasizes the importance of separating this political track from security and military arrangements, including the March 10 agreement signed between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the authorities in Damascus.
The Kurdish National Council reiterates its firm conviction that a solution in Syria cannot be security-based or founded on exclusion. Rather, it requires a comprehensive national political solution that is based on constitutional recognition of Syria as a state of multiple nationalities and religions, and on the adoption of a decentralized system that guarantees the national and political rights of all Syrians, and puts an end to policies of monopolizing power that were a primary cause of the country’s deterioration.
Today, Syrians aspire to build a civil, democratic, and pluralistic state that guarantees freedom, dignity, and justice for all its citizens, and closes the door to the return of authoritarianism in all its forms.
Qamishlo – 29 December 2025
General Secretariat of the Kurdish National Council in Syria
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Al-Sudani: Syria’s Stability and Unity Are a Priority for Iraq
ARK News.. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani affirmed that relations between Iraq and Syria continue to be based on a shared strategic interest, stressing that there is ongoing communication between the two sides and a bilateral security coordination committee that remains active.
In a televised interview, al-Sudani said Iraq has discussed with the Syrian side the need to build an inclusive political process that embraces all components and segments of Syrian society, alongside adopting a clear and explicit stance rejecting terrorism, ISIS, and extremism.
The Iraqi prime minister emphasized Baghdad’s firm commitment to Syria’s unity and territorial integrity, noting the existence of significant economic opportunities to advance bilateral cooperation, including the Kirkuk–Baniyas oil pipeline project.
Al-Sudani added that Iraq is closely monitoring the security situation in Syria, particularly amid the growing activity of ISIS cells, pointing out that Iraq remains part of the international coalition to combat terrorism.
He also highlighted important security cooperation between Baghdad and Damascus in the fight against drug trafficking, including the implementation of joint operations inside Syrian territory.
Al-Sudani concluded by stressing that Syria’s stability and unity are a top priority for Iraq, given their direct impact on the security and stability of the region as a whole.
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Protests Under the Slogan “We Want Federalism” Erupt in Tartous and Latakia
ARK News.. Dozens of protesters took part in peaceful demonstrations in predominantly Alawite areas, responding to a call by Sheikh Ghazal Ghazal, Head of the Supreme Alawite Islamic Council, amid heightened security measures aimed at preventing wider participation. Government forces reportedly set up checkpoints and carried out strict searches.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, dozens gathered at Al-Azhar Roundabout in the city of Latakia, chanting the slogan “We Want Federalism.” Demonstrators raised banners echoing the demands put forward by Sheikh Ghazal Ghazal a day earlier, stressing their right to dignity and to political and civil rights, while underscoring the peaceful nature of the movement and rejecting all forms of violence.
In Baniyas, residents reportedly faced heavy restrictions imposed by government forces, with a dense security presence around the Water Authority building and the entrances to the al-Qusour neighborhood, a move described as effectively paralyzing movement to prevent any protests from taking place.
Despite the intensified security deployment, participants in the demonstrations, protests, and sit-ins reaffirmed their determination to continue peaceful protest, emphasizing their right to free expression and rejecting pressure aimed at curbing the popular movement.
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Guterres Condemns Attack on Imam Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque in Homs’ Wadi Al-Dhahab
ARK News.. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned the attack that targeted a mosque in the Wadi Al-Dhahab neighborhood of Homs on Friday, 26 December 2025, which killed eight people, describing the incident as “unacceptable” and calling for those responsible to be brought to justice.
In a statement issued on Saturday, 27 December 2025, the Secretary-General’s Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said that Guterres “unequivocally condemns this attack and reiterates that assaults on civilians and places of worship are unacceptable,” stressing the need to identify the perpetrators and ensure their accountability.
Separately, the Acting Head of the European Union Delegation to Syria, Michael Ohnmacht, also condemned the bombing in a post on X, stating that “targeting civilians or places of worship is deeply disturbing and unacceptable.” He affirmed the EU’s solidarity with the victims and their families, as well as with Syrians striving to promote peace and reject violence.
The bombing of the mosque in Homs has sparked widespread condemnation at the Arab, regional, and international levels.
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Mohammad Turko: Nearly 2.5 Million Students Have Dropped Out of School in Syria
ARK News.. Syrian Minister of Education Mohammad Turko announced that approximately 2.5 million students are currently out of school in Syria, noting that the largest share of dropouts is driven by economic factors, particularly child labor.
Turko said that addressing the issue of school dropouts in Syria requires concerted efforts between the international community and relevant Syrian government institutions, given the scale of the crisis.
He explained that the total number of dropouts is divided into several categories, with the first group comprising around 400,000 students who left school due to the lack of available educational facilities in their areas.
The minister added that school dropout rates are closely linked to economic conditions, stressing that any improvement in the economic situation would directly contribute to reducing dropout rates.
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International Coalition Forces Conduct Military Drills in Mount Abdulaziz Area, Hasaka
ARK News.. International Coalition forces carried out military exercises in the Mount Abdulaziz area in the countryside of Hasaka, in Kurdistan of Syria.
Local sources reported that the drills took place on Saturday, December 27, 2025, marking the first military exercises conducted by Coalition forces in the Mount Abdulaziz area.
According to the sources, the exercises involved the use of heavy weapons and various military equipment, with the participation of warplanes.
During the drills, residents in nearby areas heard the sound of three explosions, resulting from simulated airstrikes carried out by coalition aircraft, which caused concern among some civilians in the surrounding areas.
International Coalition, Mount Abdulaziz, Hasaka, Military Drills
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Syrian Authorities Arrest 12 Individuals, Including Former Officers Linked to the Ousted Regime
ARK News.. The Syrian Ministry of Interior announced that Border Guard forces have arrested 12 individuals, including former officers linked to the ousted Syrian regime, while they were attempting to cross the Syrian–Lebanese border illegally.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Defense through its Media and Communication Directorate, border units carried out the operation on the night of Friday–Saturday, December 26–27, 2025, confirming the arrest of 12 elements and officers associated with the former regime.
The statement added that the detainees will be handed over to the competent judicial authorities to take the necessary legal measures against them.
Meanwhile, the German News Agency (DPA) reported, citing its sources, that the arrested individuals include senior-ranking officers from the former regime’s army, among them a colonel, who were detained near the city of Til Kalakh, close to the Syrian–Lebanese border.
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Homs: Funeral Held for Victims of Bombing at Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib Mosque
ARK News.. Homs province witnessed a solemn funeral on Saturday for the victims of the terrorist bombing that struck the courtyard of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib Mosque a day earlier.
According to local sources, thousands of residents, along with local officials, took part on Saturday, December 27, 2025, in the funeral procession for those killed in the attack, which occurred in the Wadi al-Dhahab neighborhood on Friday, December 26. The مراسم included funeral prayers for the victims, followed by their burial in local cemeteries.
Participants stressed the need to strengthen security measures and ensure the protection of civilians, particularly in places of worship, to prevent similar attacks from recurring.
The explosion inside the mosque resulted in the death of eight people from the Alawite community and injured 27 others, including three children, according to official figures.
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International Coalition Conducts Military Drills at Qasrek Base in Hasaka
ARK News.. International Coalition forces have carried out military exercises at Qasrek Base, located northwest of the city of Hasaka in northeastern Syria.
According to local sources, the drills conducted on Friday, December 26, 2025, involved the use of heavy weaponry, alongside intensive warplane flights over the area, aimed at enhancing the combat capabilities and readiness of coalition troops.
On December 24, coalition forces had already conducted large-scale military exercises at the same base as part of efforts to raise their operational and combat readiness.
The drills reportedly focused on the use of newly delivered advanced weapons systems, including heavy arms, the operation of radar and early-warning systems, missile strikes, and raid simulations.
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Musa Ahmed: The cost of Barzani's Charity projects exceeded 41 billion Iraqi dinars.
ARK News.. The Barzani Charity Foundation (BCF) announced the implementation of 161 humanitarian and development projects across the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and Syria during 2025, with a total value exceeding 41 billion Iraqi dinars.
The head of the foundation, Musa Ahmed, said that the projects covered a wide range of humanitarian and development sectors, including relief assistance, healthcare, education, shelter, water and sanitation, food aid, and support for vulnerable groups, particularly displaced families, refugees, orphans, and people with special needs.
He explained that the foundation’s activities were carried out in coordination with local authorities and relevant institutions, aiming to respond to urgent humanitarian needs while also contributing to sustainable development and improving living conditions in affected communities.
According to the foundation, a significant portion of the projects focused on emergency response and winterization assistance, as well as long-term development initiatives designed to strengthen community resilience and social stability.
The Barzani Charity Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to continuing its humanitarian mission and expanding its activities in the coming period, in line with its principles of solidarity, humanitarian responsibility, and support for those most in need, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or background.
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