Politician and chemist Salih Muslim Muhammad passed away on March 11, 2026, at the age of 74. Introduction Salih Muslim Muhammad was a Syrian politician and chemist, known as co-chair of the Democratic Union Party (PYD). He was a driving force behind the development of the autonomous Kurdish region Rojava in North Syria and was regarded as one of the architects of the Kurdish self-governance model. Political Career 1970s: Became politically active within the Kurdish movement during his studies in Istanbul. Later worked as a chemist in Saudi Arabia; in the 1990s, he returned to Syria and re-engaged in Kurdish politics. Served as co-chair of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), the main political organization in the Kurdish administration of North Syria. Played a central role in developing Rojava’s governance model, based on principles of democratic confederalism and local autonomy. Under his leadership, the PYD focused on gender equality and inclusive governance within Rojava’s autonomous structures. Negotiated with international actors, including the international coalition against ISIS, which led to military support for Kurdish YPG forces. Was one of the first Kurdish leaders to openly advocate for a federal solution within Syria rather than full independence, following a pragmatic approach in a complex geopolitical context. Private Life Salih Muslim Muhammad was born on March 3, 1951, in Kobani, Syria. He later worked as a chemist in Saudi Arabia before returning to Syria in the 1990s. His private life was marked by a publicly known tragedy: his son Shervan was killed in 2013 during fighting against rebels with ties to Al Qaeda. Further personal details have not been publicly confirmed. Death Salih Muslim Muhammad died on March 11, 2026, in Erbil, at the age of 74. The cause of death is not publicly known. At the time of publication, there are no officially confirmed reactions from political parties, colleagues, or heads of state reported by Overleden.net. There is also no confirmation of a state funeral or official memorial service. Conclusion With the passing of Salih Muslim Muhammad, the international community loses a defining figure in Kurdish politics, someone who helped shape the institutionalization of Kurdish self-governance in North Syria. His legacy lies in the governance experiment of Rojava, the emphasis on inclusive governance, and pragmatic cooperation with international actors. On Overleden.net, you can find more notable political figures who have passed away. This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools and verified by the editorial team of Overleden.net.