Seven people were massacred in a village affiliated with Dayr Hafir (Deyr Hefîr), within the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, as a result of attacks by Turkish and Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)-linked militias. The victims ranged in age from one to seventy-five. They were very poor people struggling to survive. Apparently, the slaughter of hundreds of thousands in Syria was not enough. What political gain is calculated by killing these people? Those who build politics on blood, violence and fear, what kind of system do they hope to establish? These questions must be taken seriously and positions taken accordingly. It should also be known that behind these steps and the messages being sent lie threats of massacre and genocide.
The Turkish Ministry of Defense says: “We will not withdraw our soldiers from Syria until terrorism ends. If terrorism ends, we may consider withdrawal.” Which forces are they defining as terrorists, and by whom? They have become intertwined with HTS. They declare they will give unconditional support to HTS and are trying to erase its bloody past, as if this group had not been placed on international lists of terrorist organizations. They do not say “we will withdraw.” They say they may “consider withdrawal if terrorism ends.” In other words, they openly state they intend to remain in Syria. If HTS and other forces are not considered terrorists, the remaining target is the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The SDF is not regarded as a terrorist force by any power in the world. The SDF fought against ISIS together with the International Coalition, which includes the United States and European states, and continues to fight. Turkey, however, has declared the SDF, because it includes Kurds, its greatest enemy in the Middle East. Turkey has repeatedly attacked the Autonomous Administration and occupied a significant area; it continues to maintain that occupation.
Effort to unleash HTS on the SDF
The Erdoğan administration is conducting intensive efforts to unleash HTS against the SDF and the Autonomous Administration. HTS has been placed in a complete vise. Tremendous effort is being expended to reach an understanding with the SDF and prevent the establishment of stability in Syria. Turkish officials maintain a permanent presence in Syria and have normalized interference in Syria’s internal affairs. They are more insistent than anyone on creating a unitary, exclusionary Syria in every respect. Their aim is to prevent the Kurds from gaining any status or achievements. Whether Syria is condemned to a fascist and dark future is of no concern to them. They are even willing to risk the weakening of the peace and solution process in Turkey. Evidently, the peace process is not being considered as recognition of Kurdish rights and identity; rather, it is being framed as a way to rid the country of the “Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the guerrilla plague.” Months have passed since Abdullah Öcalan’s call and the PKK’s congress, yet no concrete steps have been taken. Meanwhile, threats targeting Rojava continue without pause. By throwing the Kurds of Rojava into the arms of genocide, how can Turkey hope to build unity and brotherhood with Kurds in Turkey and across the Middle East?
This can only be explained by deep hostility
There is heavy pressure for the SDF to join the Syrian army, but does a unified Syrian army even exist? All the armed groups inside HTS continue to operate. Armed groups organized by the Turkish army move as they wish. In contrast, a force like the SDF is being pushed into the service of HTS. It is clear that there is malicious intent. There is a plan to leave the Kurds and the Autonomous Administration vulnerable and turn them into exposed targets for attack. Moreover, the SDF does not say “I will merge with the army.” It says, “I must protect the territory where I am until legal and constitutional guarantees are provided.” In a period when the state and system are dissolving and no new order has been established, disarming and dismantling the SDF can only be explained by deep-seated enmity and ill will.
Why does Erdoğan flatter with ‘my friend’?
Erdoğan eagerly awaited Trump’s election. Trump, who stood behind Israel as it burned and destroyed Gaza and carried out massacres, is regarded by Erdoğan as an important friend. He begins his words with “my friend Trump.” How can someone who supports those who have inflicted such suffering on the Palestinians be Erdoğan’s friend? Erdoğan calls Netanyahu names such as Hitler, leaving nothing unsaid against Israelis, yet why does he flatter the United States President Trump, who backs Israel on every issue and seeks to reshape the Middle East according to Israel’s security concept, by calling him “my friend”? Trump makes plans to turn Gaza into real estate for hotels and casinos. Despite this, why call him “my friend Trump”? The greatest reason, once again, is hostility toward the Kurds. Previously, regions such as Serêkaniyê (Ras al-Ain) were occupied through deals made with Trump. Now, Erdoğan believes he can once again bargain and strike agreements with him. He trusts that, by presenting multi-billion-dollar offers, he can buy Trump’s silence and approval to sacrifice the Kurds. Erdoğan’s most important bargaining point in the White House will once again be to secure support against the Kurds. Another calculation is to obtain Trump’s backing in order to remain in power.