In an analysis translated for our readers, originally published by Özgür Politika on Saturday, Zeki Akıl explores Turkey’s unwavering opposition to Kurdish autonomy in northeastern Syria. He sheds light on the complex geopolitical manoeuvres with the US, Russia, and regional actors, emphasising the dismissive attitude towards Kurdish identity and the intricate web of international relations impacting the region’s future.,
Zeki Akıl
The Turkish state frequently declares that it will not allow any [Kurdish] entity in northeastern Syria, and that they will bear the cost whatever it may be. They view the existence and identity of the Kurds as the greatest catastrophe in the world. They do not consider negotiating or coexisting with the Kurds. The deaths of thousands of people and the waste of vast economic resources are of no importance to them. They have resorted to unprecedented methods and ways to erase the Kurds from history and complete a genocide for a century.
Following the Astana talks, the Turkish state reached an agreement with Russia and Iran to drive the US out of Syria and eliminate the autonomous administration. Indeed, the only outcome or product of the Astana process was to declare the autonomous administration illegitimate and to turn into an anti-Kurdish front. Turkey openly stated that it was waiting for the right time to attack Rojava and northeastern Syria. Turkey calculates that it cannot achieve the desired outcome without an agreement with the powers present in Syria, namely the US and Russia. Indeed, without the opening of the airspace by the US and Russia, Turkey cannot launch a comprehensive attack.
The US opened its airspace for the attacks of the Turkish state. The silence of the US and Europe in the face of recent attacks and the targeting of life resources is a clear indication of this. Additionally, US officials, in their responses to criticisms, state, “We did not say we would support the autonomous administration against the Turkish attacks.” Thus, they are clarifying their stance that Turkey can attack, and we will not cause any problems.
Russia, on the other hand, agreed with Turkey against the Kurds. As a result of this agreement, Afrin was occupied. They target the Kurds by saying, “We are not enemies of the Kurds, we wanted to reconcile them with Damascus, but they are siding with the US.” Russian representatives like Lavrov are constantly inciting Ankara and Damascus against the Kurds. They make statements like, “The US is creating a state or federation for the Kurds.” However, the Kurds and the autonomous regions accepted Russia as a mediator. But Russia tried to attach the Kurds to the Damascus regime. They ignored all demands of the people. The Damascus regime, instead of reaching a democratic solution by negotiating with its people, is trying to dismantle the autonomous administration by agreeing with the Turkish administration.
Iranians and the Syrian regime, especially within the Arab population, worked openly and secretly to incite them against the Kurds. They always used their presence in the autonomous regions for this purpose. Russia facilitated and supported these efforts. The targeting of oil resources by the Turkish state is not without the knowledge of Russia. Russia had agreed with the Damascus regime to extract and operate the oil. They said to the autonomous administration, “Let us extract the oil, bring our police, and then the Turks cannot attack these places.” When their demands were not met, Turkey conducted comprehensive attacks. Electricity, oil and gas facilities were specifically targeted.
Russia primarily supports Damascus and Iranians to detach Arab regions from the autonomous administration. By provoking the Turks, it aims to confront them with the US and create an environment for the US to be driven out of Syria. Indeed, the Syrian and Iranian regimes see the US as an enemy and are working to drive them out. Syria and Iran cannot openly wage a military war against the US. They aim to disband the autonomous administration and make the US unable to stay in Syria by inciting the Arab population and creating chaos in the region.
Turkey agrees to detach Arab regions like Manbij, Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor from the autonomous administration and hand them over to the Syrian government, as long as the Kurdish-Arab alliance is broken and the Kurds have no status. On one hand, the Turkish state unleashes gangs it has gathered around it on the people, and on the other, it prepares for a comprehensive attack by agreeing with Russia and the Damascus regime.
Turkish state officials made consecutive visits to Baghdad and Erbil. Without the support of the Iraqi government and the KDP, they cannot achieve results against the guerrillas. Despite heavy attacks and the establishment of numerous military bases over the years, they cannot achieve the desired results. If Erdoğan’s war government cannot win the war, it will disintegrate. The only way for Erdoğan to stay in power is to win the war. The only condition for MHP and Ergenekon to support Erdoğan is the continuation of the war against the Kurds. Therefore, Erdoğan is hosting Raisi in Ankara on one hand, and on the other, he is approving Sweden’s NATO membership. NATO and the US have supported the war conducted by the Turkish state for decades. Otherwise, Turkey could not have waged war for forty years. The prolongation of the war and the imposition of a military solution are supported by the US and NATO.
Primarily the Kurds, the peoples of Syria, and democratic circles should act knowing that a new and more destructive attack on Syria is imminent. There is already no obstacle to an attack on South Kurdistan. They are striving to gain more support.
