Zübeyir Aydar: We must be the voice of Rojava

A public meeting was held in St. Gallen’s Kurdish Cultural Center with the Executive Council member of the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), Zübeyir Aydar. Aydar analyzed the situation after the fall of the Assad regime.

“Assad relied on Russia”

Aydar described the current situation as a phase in which the political balance changed every moment and said: “The Syrian regime collapsed in a very short time. There are reasons for this. It tried to hold on when everyone was already saying that it would fall. The Assad regime relied on Russian support and considered its continued existence to be secure in the long term.”

“Turkey is an obstacle to peace”

The Kurds are an important player in the region, said Aydar, and continued: “No matter how much the Kurds reached out, they did not take their hand. The forces there were not ready for a solution. Iran also played a role in this sense. Only Turkey was the biggest obstacle to peace.”

“An unpredictable phase is ahead”

Aydar pointed out that Syria is a country with many different identities and that the fate of these identities is completely unclear today. But the question of their future is the crucial question for Syria. He said: “Several armed organizations have entered Damascus. The question of an independent Syria still remains. Turkey is the Kurds’ biggest enemy. An unpredictable phase awaits us. Our position is very important in this process.”

“Those who overthrew Assad will turn on each other”

The KCK representative said: “The armed groups are actually looters. We have seen this ourselves. Those who overthrew Assad together today will fight for land and property tomorrow. This is their war. Our fight is a disciplined fight. Where there is no discipline, there is looting. When it comes to the question of what kind of government should be created, this reality is striking.”

“We must be the voice of Rojava”

Aydar stressed that the Kurds must definitely be part of a new government in Syria. This fact is indisputable. However, Turkey is opposed to this. Aydar said: “Turkey does not want the Kurds to participate in a new government. If this demand is accepted, then we will face another war. We Kurds in the diaspora must put this on the agenda worldwide. There is a fierce war, and it is necessary to thwart Turkey’s plans. We are in a period of chaos and whoever takes action during this time will have their own resources in the future. We must be Rojava’s voice and civil society force. Iran remains a serious threat to Israel and Israel will do everything in its power not to be defeated. We claimed our land in Iraq, we did so in Syria, and now it is Iran’s turn. This will be inevitable. That is why Turkey is making such contradictory statements internally. Because it is afraid.”