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Syrian National Opposition Coalition Opposes Kurds’ Federalization

© REUTERS / Rodi SaidKurdish people carry flags as they march during a protest in the city of al-Derbasiyah, on the Syrian-Turkish border, against what the protesters said were the operations launched in Turkey by government security forces against the Kurds, February 9, 2016
Kurdish people carry flags as they march during a protest in the city of al-Derbasiyah, on the Syrian-Turkish border, against what the protesters said were the operations launched in Turkey by government security forces against the Kurds, February 9, 2016 - Sputnik International
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The National Coalition for Revolutionary and Opposition Forces declared its opposition to the Kurdish groups’ declaration of a federal region in northern Syria, Sky News Arabia reported Thursday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Earlier in the day, Kurds have announced the creation of a federal region in northern Syria.

“Defining Syrian statehood is not the prerogative of one group or a segment of the people. Attempts to form some kind of formation or specific regions take away the Syrian people’s will,” the outlet quoted the coalition as saying.

A man holds the flag of the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) as Kurds living in Greece protest in central Athens on October 8, 2014 - Sputnik International
Kurds Announce Creation of Federal Region in Northern Syria
It stressed its advocacy toward the territorial integrity of the Arab republic after three regions under Kurdish control declared a federal system in northern Syria earlier in the day.

On Tuesday, reports appeared citing the plans of the Kurds to declare a "federation" in Northern Syria, which would remain a part of the country.

According to the Agence France-Presse news agency, three Kurdish-controlled regions voted to approve the establishment of a federal system, despite warnings from Syrian and Turkish authorities against such a move.

Building of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Moscow's Smolenskaya-Sennaya Square - Sputnik International
Syrian Kurds Cannot Unilaterally Decide on Syria’s Federalization – Moscow
The Syrian government responded saying that the Kurds’ decision had no legal impact.

Syrian Kurds are ready to send their official delegation to Geneva in order to discuss the proposed federalization of Syria, Saleh Muslim, the co-chair of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD), told Sputnik on Thursday.

"Yes, of course," he said asked whether he was ready to come to Geneva to discuss the issue of federalization.

He added that at the moment there was no such invitation.

Syria has been mired in civil war since March 2011, with government forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad fighting numerous opposition factions and extremist groups.

The new round of the intra-Syrian talks aimed at putting an end to the five-year civil war is underway in Geneva. The negotiations are expected to last until March 24.

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