Syrian Kurds: Between a Rock and a Hard Place
A Kurdish woman, standing in Mursitpinar, on the outskirts of Suruc, on the Turkey-Syria border, watches smoke from fires caused by strikes
The future of the Syrian Kurds and their militias is uncertain, according to Andrea Glioti, an expert on Syrian and Kurdish affairs, who shared insights with Sputnik about the aspirations of major regional parties.
Kurdish Hopes for Autonomy
Syria’s Kurdish-led Self-Administration aims to achieve autonomy similar to that of Iraqi Kurdistan, according to Glioti.Glioti believes that the Self-Administration might seek to retain control over some of its own ‘ministries’, while accepting Damascus’ control over the ministries of defense and foreign affairs”, while remaining under Damascus’s control. The initial step toward this autonomy involves recognizing Kurdish identity and cultural rights, according to the pundit.
Syrian Transitional Government
HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani, now using his birth name Ahmed al-Sharaa and playing a key role in the new Syrian transitional, government insists that “Syria must remain united.” Although al-Sharaa has stated that Kurds are “part of the homeland” and would face “no injustice,” it remains uncertain whether the Syrian transitional government will accept the Kurdish autonomy, Glioti said.
Turkiye’s Conflict with Syrian Kurds
Ankara opposes the presence of the Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), which Turkiye designates as terrorists along with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Glioti explains that Turkiye views the Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria as a threat to its national security due to its ties with the PKK movement. Given Turkiye’s influence in post-Assad Syria, it is unlikely that Kurdish politicians from the Self-Administration will be included in the new transitional government in Syria and be part of the settlement process, the pundit believes.”
WorldSyrian Kurds Call for Nationwide Ceasefire and Dialogue in Syria16 December, 15:02 GMT
