The anticipated Syrian Kurdish national conference, originally scheduled for today, has been postponed with no new date announced. The conference had two primary objectives: to approve a roadmap outlining Syrian Kurds’ vision for their relationship with Damascus, and to form a negotiating delegation to engage with Damascus regarding Kurdish rights and demands.

Despite recent announcements of an agreement between the two main Kurdish blocs—one aligned with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the other with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)—the conference was abruptly postponed at the last minute. This occurred despite diplomatic efforts by the United States and several European countries to facilitate the meeting.

Although no official reason has been provided for the delay, Neşet Zaza, a senior official in the pro-KDP Kurdish National Council (KNC), told Rudaw TV on April 8 that differences remain over the number of participants. “There’s talk of a range from 400–500 participants. I believe the final number will be lower—perhaps around 200,” Zaza said. Meanwhile, Channel 8, a PUK media outlet with close PYD connections, reported that the number of participants is expected to be 300.

One of the main sticking points appears to be representation. According to Zaza, the PYD has proposed that each political party have at least 3–4 delegates at the conference. The KNC has opposed this suggestion. “Even if a party is represented by just one or two members, that is enough. Why insist on 3–4?” Zaza said.

Some pro-PKK social media accounts have claimed that the KNC demanded 130 seats at the conference, although it remains unclear out of how many total. These claims remain unconfirmed and speculative.

However, the KNC’s objection to equal seat allocation among participating parties may stem from the fact that the PYD is now part of a broader coalition called Kurdish National Unity coalition or (PYNK) comprising 25 parties allied with the Autonomous Administration and the SDF. In contrast, the KNC now consists of just five parties, down from eleven at its founding.

Another unconfirmed point of contention is the KNC’s alleged insistence on prominently displaying the Kurdistan flag at the conference, instead of the Rojava flag approved by the SDF. Additionally, the KNC is said to have demanded that the opening speech be delivered by a representative of Masoud Barzani, with specific mention of—what some characterize as—an exaggerated portrayal of his role in making the conference possible.

Syrian Kurdish Political Parties Ideology Meter

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Another reported reason for the postponement is the anticipated presence of U.S. diplomats. It has been speculated that the conference date should be set only once the timing of the U.S. delegation’s visit becomes clear.

On a more formal level, a key point of divergence appears to be the competing political visions: some KNC factions reportedly advocate for a federal system in Syria, while the SDF officially supports decentralization. However, neither side has clearly defined the scope or content of these terms.

Adding a potentially significant layer of context, just yesterday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan reportedly told a group of AKP MPs that federalism in Syria is a red line and “not possible.” Today, Fidan’s deputy met with Masoud Barzani in Erbil, though it remains unclear whether the two developments are connected.

Another source of KNC skepticism lies in history: two previous agreements—in Erbil and Duhok—were never implemented. Additionally, pro-KDP sources claim that groups affiliated with the SDF, such as the youth militia Jawanen Shorshger, continue to recruit underage individuals for military service.