Kurdistan National Congress (KNK) co-chair Ahmet Karamus assessed the anniversary of the overthrow of the Baath regime in Syria, stressing that correctly understanding the ongoing process in the country is of vital importance for the Kurdish people. Karamus warned that a revolution which initially emerged as a democratic demand was pushed onto a radical path through the intervention of regional and global powers, creating a serious risk for Kurdish democratic gains.
Recalling the period when unrest first erupted in Syria, Karamus said there were two main blocs on the ground: on one side an Islamic-radical bloc, and on the other a secular, democratic, and progressive bloc. He said the Kurds aligned themselves from the outset with the latter, waging a struggle based on freedom and democracy.
Karamus said democratic circles dissatisfied with the Assad regime initially supported radical forces led by the Muslim Brotherhood in the hope of change, but stressed that this proved to be a major miscalculation.
Karamus also said: “What emerged in Syria at the beginning was a progressive, democratic, and social demand for change. However, with the inclusion of radical Islamist groups, this revolutionary momentum was diverted from its path and effectively stolen.”
Karamus said the revolution was effectively “stolen,” added: “The democratic, leftist, and transformative forces that carried the initiative of the process were systematically eliminated. While those who organized the initial resistance against the Assad regime were sidelined, the struggle was carried forward through radical Islamist groups. These groups were deliberately supported, sustained, and directed by international and regional powers. In this way, the progressive essence of the revolution was neutralized and pulled onto a radical-fascist line.”
Kurds’ ‘third way’ emerges as the strongest alternative
Ahmet Karamus said that despite intense pressure and systematic attempts at liquidation, Kurds have managed to endure on a democratic and revolutionary path, developing a line known as the “third way” that has given rise to a practice of resistance and governance centered on an alternative model of society.
Drawing attention to the strong position of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) shaped under Kurdish leadership, Karamus said this strength has earned serious legitimacy and prestige due to its international alliances, democratic character, public trust, and determined struggle against radical groups. He stressed that the pluralistic governance approach of the SDF and the Autonomous Administration carries the qualities of a viable model for Syria’s reconstruction and future governance as a whole.
Regional and global powers assigned HTS a mission
Ahmet Karamus said the international projects behind the process that culminated in the collapse of the Assad regime involved the advancement of radical forces through a joint effort led by the United Kingdom, Qatar, and Turkey, with these groups being pushed as far as Damascus. Karamus said: “Radical groups, particularly those led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), were systematically moved into a more advantageous position. Regional and global powers assigned these structures an explicit mission; they were brought to power in Damascus, a state-building process was initiated, and they were legitimized.”
Karamus said this process has been pursued as a joint project, supported in particular by Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, directly targeting the Kurds’ democratic model. He added that Ahmed Al-Sharaa (Al-Jolani) has been embraced within this framework, with his past being deliberately overlooked, and that he has been brought onto United Nations platforms and presented to the United States.
Turkey’s sole strategy is to dismantle Kurdish gains
Ahmet Karamus placed particular emphasis on Turkey’s role, saying that the international community’s positive approach toward the SDF is interpreted by Turkey as a major threat to its own security. He said this fear is one of the main reasons behind the current process in which radical groups are once again being activated. Karamus said, “Turkey views the gains and status achieved by the Kurds as a serious threat to its security, and for this reason it is making an intense effort to strengthen radical groups. This is its entire strategy.”
Karamus added that Turkey is seeking to turn the new situation in Syria against the Kurds, aiming to dismantle Kurdish political, military, and social gains by exploiting every opportunity that has emerged in Rojava and other regions.
National unity is an urgent and non-deferrable task
Ahmet Karamus said the “third way” strategy developed by the Kurds is facing serious risks under the current conditions, stressing that the failure of Kurdish movements to develop a common political line across all parts of Kurdistan represents a major shortcoming.
Karamus said Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia are engaged in active diplomatic efforts before the United States to weaken Kurdish gains, warned:
“The international coalition alone is not a guarantee. Being aware of this effort and remaining vigilant against it is of vital importance.”
Karamus said the process initiated by Mr. Öcalan’s 27 February call has created strong morale and motivation for diplomatic talks and the pursuit of common alliances among the Kurds. Karamus continued:
“Kurdish politics has not yet been able to develop a common political approach across all parts of Kurdistan that would make use of the opportunities emerging in global and regional politics. Nevertheless, the talks and contacts carried out recently point to the existence of a serious effort. The meetings held particularly between Rojava and Southern Kurdistan (Başur) are encouraging for the Kurds. However, these contacts are not sufficient; there is a need for a shared, clear, and binding strategy.
Mr. Öcalan’s call has provided strong morale for inter-Kurdish dialogue. There is a visible strengthening of efforts to build closer relations in order to protect Kurdish gains. This is a positive development. Mazloum Abdi’s visits to Erbil (Hewler) and Duhok, Mr. Öcalan’s letters to Mr. Barzani, and the national conference held in Qamishlo are highly significant and meaningful steps for Kurdish politics.”
However, the major transformation taking place in the Middle East demands a supra-party, national-level unity from Kurdish politics. The current talks are valuable as an intention and a starting point, but regional change requires not just intention, but concrete unity and joint action. In this respect, a sufficient common political will has not yet emerged.
Karamus also said: “Kurds must, without delay, demonstrate a shared strategy and the will to act together across all parts and at the national level. This has not been fully achieved to date, but it must be the common mission of all Kurdish political forces.
The fact that a government has not been formed in Southern Kurdistan for more than a year, that parliament has not convened, and that a common political stance aligned with developments in the Middle East has not been developed is a serious problem. This fragmented situation will harm our people in the future and weaken public trust in politics.
Kurdish politics must now urgently set aside partisan interests and form a common strategy. The situation in Rojava is no different. In this historical period, Kurdish politics cannot afford to appear fragmented. At a time of profound change in the Middle East, no Kurdish political structure should have the right to stand apart.
Had a strong Kurdish unity been achieved a year ago, the role and influence of the Kurds in Syria would be at a very different level today. The changes we are witnessing now would have been carried into the international arena under Kurdish leadership.
When risks and opportunities are assessed together, the fragmented stance of Kurdish politics constitutes a major weakness for our people. Today, the gains achieved in Rojava, Southern Kurdistan, and other parts are under serious threat. Recognizing this reality and ensuring unity accordingly has now become an urgent and non-deferrable task for all of us.”