Members of the Kurdish National Council (ENKS/KNC) have declined an invitation to attend the Syrian National Dialogue Congress, criticizing the event for its poor structure and exclusion of Kurdish political representation. The congress, organized by a preparatory committee, is set to begin on Tuesday in Damascus and will run for two days.

Abdulhakim Bashar, a member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party - Syria (PDK-S), which forms the backbone of the ENKS, confirmed that he, along with Najah Hevo, head of ENKS’s European representation, and fellow member Hawas Agid, were invited as individuals rather than as official party representatives. The trio collectively decided not to attend the event, citing concerns over the lack of formal Kurdish political representation.

The conference, which will open on Monday with guest arrivals, has faced widespread criticism from Kurdish parties for failing to include their representatives. The preparatory committee claims to have held meetings across Syria, involving around 4,000 participants from various backgrounds. However, Kurdish political groups argue that their voices have been sidelined.

On Thursday, the committee met with individuals from Hasaka province in Damascus and appointed them as representatives. Despite Hasaka being part of the Kurdish-administered northeast region of Rojava, no Kurdish political parties were officially invited. This move has drawn condemnation from the ENKS and other Kurdish groups, who view it as an attempt to marginalize their political influence.

Hawas Agid, a member of the ENKS, expressed concerns about the conference’s structure and organization. He questioned whether key political issues, such as the political process, the constitution, and transitional justice, could be meaningfully discussed in just six hours. Agid also criticized the preparatory committee’s handling of the event, suggesting that it lacked the necessary framework to address Syria’s complex political landscape.

Hassan al-Dugheim, spokesperson for the conference’s preparatory committee, told Rudaw on Thursday that Kurds would participate in the event in a personal capacity rather than as formal delegations. According to the committee, approximately 400 to 600 people are expected to attend the congress.

The ENKS, an umbrella group of Kurdish opposition parties in northeast Syria, has long advocated for greater Kurdish representation in national dialogues. Their decision to boycott the congress highlights ongoing tensions between Kurdish political groups and the Syrian government, as well as the challenges of achieving inclusive political negotiations in the war-torn country.

As the Syrian National Dialogue Congress prepares to convene, the absence of key Kurdish voices raises questions about the legitimacy and effectiveness of the event in addressing the country’s deep-rooted political divisions.