Medya News
Subscribe
  • Home
  • All News
  • Opinion
  • Kurdistan
  • Women
  • Politics
  • Human Rights
  • More
    • Audio Articles
    • Economy
    • Culture & Art
    • Ecology
    • Newsletter
    • Daily Review
Youtube
PODCAST
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • All News
  • Opinion
  • Kurdistan
  • Women
  • Politics
  • Human Rights
  • More
    • Audio Articles
    • Economy
    • Culture & Art
    • Ecology
    • Newsletter
    • Daily Review
Youtube
PODCAST
No Result
View All Result
Medya News

How could a no-fly zone for Rojava actually be achieved?

"The fact is a no-fly zone for NES would be a political statement, not a legal necessity. The USA and Russia already engage in deconfliction over the region’s airspace, and are currently not allowing Turkey to launch a significant ground or air assault as this does not suit their political interests. On the other hand, neither would be likely to shoot down Turkish jets if President Erdoğan threw caution to the winds and launched an invasion regardless."

9:31 am 10/08/2022
A A
How could a no-fly zone for Rojava actually be achieved?
Share this
FacebookTwitterRedditEmailLinkedInWhatsApp

Demands for a ‘no-fly zone’ for the Kurdish-led regions of North and East Syria (NES) are commonplace. Activists have launched the hashtag campaign #NoFlyZone4Rojava, while the region’s political and military leaders regularly repeat the demand in public statements and meetings with Western officials. Locals have protested outside the bases of both Russian and American militaries in the region with the same demand. But what does this demand mean, politically and militarily, and is there any feasible route to achieve it?

The concept of a no-fly zone is a relatively modern one which evolved during the era of American military hegemony and ‘world policing’ from 1990 onward. Indeed, the concept was first deployed in Kurdistan, following the 1991 Gulf War. The United States intervened in the Kurdish region of Bashur in northern Iraq, with the stated aim of preventing further genocide and use of chemical weapons against the Kurdish people by the dictator Saddam Hussein. Of course, this also allowed the USA to establish a foothold in what would become the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, which would be instrumental in their subsequent invasion of Iraq and toppling of Saddam in 2003.

On the one hand, continued memories of the US intervention contribute to the continued search for international protection for Kurdistan. On the other hand, the US intervention in Iraq illustrates the truth that any interventions by the USA – or other international actors – will mask realpolitik and strategic aims which have nothing to do with the defence of the Kurdish people.

No matter how true they are, neither ethical nor legal arguments are never going to be enough to promote a change in USA or international policy. The US military action and bombing along Iraq’s 33rd parallel was condemned by the United Nations, but soon became a de facto reality – and the KRI officially recognised in the new Iraqi constitution.

Today, the USA, the UN and other international actors use legalistic arguments to justify their lack of support for NES in a number of fields. There is no way to establish an international court to try ISIS fighters as the region is not internationally recognized, they lament – despite the fact these are the very same powers who could unilaterally recognize the region if they chose. There is no way to overcome the Russian veto which blocks UN aid from entering NES, they sigh – despite the fact all these powers act unilaterally in Syria whenever it pleases them.

The same is true for the proposed no-fly zone. The fact is a no-fly zone for NES would be a political statement, not a legal necessity. The USA and Russia already engage in deconfliction over the region’s airspace, and are currently not allowing Turkey to launch a significant ground or air assault as this does not suit their political interests. On the other hand, neither would be likely to shoot down Turkish jets if President Erdoğan threw caution to the winds and launched an invasion regardless.

The declaration of a no-fly zone would be a political act, a public statement of opposition to the Turkish government’s policies of ethnic cleansing and occupation in northern Syria. In such finely-balanced circumstances, neither US nor Russian guarantors have any appetite for such a bold declaration, and prefer to continue their policy of appeasement toward Turkey – notably, by turning a blind eye to the heightening campaign of air strikes.

As Italian journalist Benedetta Argentieri recently told Medya News, “I don’t think [the establishment of a no-fly zone] will happen… If there is a large movement of people, such as people taking to the streets, maybe this could happen. I don’t have much trust that the international community will stand up and do what is necessary.”

In the absence of any political will on behalf of the international powers, international communities must continue to stand with NES and its Kurdish, Arabic, Christian, Yezidi and other residents. They themselves cannot shield the people of NES from the Turkish drone strikes which have killed scores this year alone, nor any coming invasion. But though they cannot close the skies, they can stand alongside the people, and continue holding the guarantor powers to account through all means at their disposal.

 

Share this
FacebookTwitterRedditEmailLinkedInWhatsApp
Tags: Trending

Related Posts

Democratic Republic Conference discusses a new republic conception in Turkey

Democratic Republic Conference discusses a new republic conception in Turkey

February 4, 2023
PKK commander calls on international powers to change policies on Kurds’ fight for freedom

PKK commander calls on international powers to change policies on Kurds’ fight for freedom

February 4, 2023
Existential Questions in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq – a weekly news review

Existential Questions in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq – a weekly news review

February 4, 2023
The Codename is “The Boss”

Journalists from Turkey are under threat, says German intelligence

February 4, 2023
Kurds celebrate traditional fest in ancient Iranian village

Kurds celebrate traditional fest in ancient Iranian village

February 4, 2023
Threat of Syrian rebels the reason behind consulate closures in Turkey, says journalist

Threat of Syrian rebels the reason behind consulate closures in Turkey, says journalist

February 4, 2023

Videos

PKK commander calls on international powers to change policies on Kurds’ fight for freedom
KURDISTAN

PKK commander calls on international powers to change policies on Kurds’ fight for freedom

February 4, 2023

All News

Democratic Republic Conference discusses a new republic conception in Turkey

PKK commander calls on international powers to change policies on Kurds’ fight for freedom

Existential Questions in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq – a weekly news review

Journalists from Turkey are under threat, says German intelligence

Kurds celebrate traditional fest in ancient Iranian village

Threat of Syrian rebels the reason behind consulate closures in Turkey, says journalist

Medya News

Impressum

About us

Privacy Policy

Subscribe
Contact
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • All News
  • Opinion
  • Kurdistan
  • Women
  • World
  • Politics
  • Human Rights
  • Ecology
  • Economy
  • Culture & Art
  • Daily Show
  • Newsletter
  • Authors
  • Podcast

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT

Add New Playlist

Loading
Contact