QAMISHLI, Syria — Syrian Kurds' declaration of a federal region is stirring controversy as the country enters its sixth year of war. 

Syrian Kurds agree on their right to declare a federal region, yet some of them believe this could lead to the exploitation of their national cause. In light of most Syrians’ rejection of the just-announced federal solution, a new crisis is about to hit Syria, which is already plagued by other crises.

On March 17, the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) declared the Federal Democratic System of Rojava and Northern Syria, making the announcement at a conference in Rmeilan that included 150 delegates and representatives from 31 Kurdish, Assyrian and Syriac political parties, independent figures and Arab tribes. The federal zone includes Rojava's three cantons — Jazira, Kobani and Afrin — as well as Tell Abyad and other areas Kurdish forces have recaptured.

The Conference of the Constituent Assembly of Rojava met to approve a document establishing the federal unionist system, stating that the solution to the Syrian crisis is the federal model.