International reactions continue against the attacks carried out by Turkish-state-backed ISIS and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) mercenaries targeting Northern and Eastern Syria. Renowned French sociologist and philosopher Michael Löwy, internationally known for his influential work on contemporary social movements, spoke to ANF about the issue and shared his assessment.
Syrian government is carrying out Turkey’s policy
Löwy said the main aim behind the attacks on Rojava is to dismantle the democratic model being built in the region, stressing that Turkey is the real force behind these assaults. He said: “This attack corresponds to the policy of the current Syrian government to impose a centralized and authoritarian power over the different ethnic, religious, and cultural minorities that exist in Syria. In the current attack, there is also pressure from the Turkish state, that is, from the Turkish government.
For a very long time, whether in Turkey, in Syria, or elsewhere, the Turkish government has adopted a completely hostile approach toward the Kurdish movement. For a long time, it has tried by all means to crush the Kurdish experience in Syria and has exerted pressure on its allies within the Syrian government to put an end to the autonomy experience in Rojava.
In my view, on the one hand the highly authoritarian and centralist policy of the Syrian government, and on the other hand Turkey’s aim of ending the Kurdish autonomy experience in Rojava, are the main factors behind these attacks.”
The West has betrayed the Kurds
Löwy said the West’s stance in the face of attacks on Rojava amounts to “betrayal,” and continued with the following remarks: “Western countries, in other words Western imperialists, Europe and the United States, made use of the Kurds’ strength in order to eliminate the threat posed by ISIS. Yet today they abandon the Kurds, acting as if this threat no longer exists or as if forming an alliance with the new Syrian government will be sufficient.
This is the typical policy of great powers. They have never had any sincere interest in the interests of the Kurdish people, Kurdish autonomy, or the Rojava experience; they merely instrumentalized the Kurds in the fight against ISIS. Today, they are abandoning them.
At most, they make a few statements about a political solution, but there is nothing concrete. This is therefore not surprising. Unfortunately, today the Kurds can rely only on the support of the Kurdish diaspora and internationalist left forces. Yet even this solidarity remains insufficient.”
The agreement is fragile, the danger continues
Löwy also assessed the agreement reached between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the transitional government in Damascus, stressing that the deal is extremely fragile. He said: “Of course, it is better than the continuation of war, but this is a very fragile agreement. In the coming weeks, there is absolutely no guarantee that, under Erdoğan’s pressure, the Syrian government will not resume attacks against the Kurds.
There is also no guarantee that this agreement will genuinely provide even a minimum level of de facto autonomy for the Kurdish people in Syria. For this reason, the only real guarantee for Syrian Kurds to protect their autonomy, their right to self-determination, and their capacity for self-organization is the existence of their own armed forces, namely the Syrian Democratic Forces. Disarmament would mark the beginning of the end of the Kurdish people’s autonomous existence in Syria.”
The destruction of Rojava would be a tragedy
Löwy said the Rojava experience must be protected, adding that the coming weeks and months will show whether the Rojava model can survive. He said: “If this experience comes to an end, it would be tragic. Despite all its problems, limitations, and contradictions, Rojava has been one of the most advanced experiences in the world in terms of real democracy and women’s liberation.
For everyone fighting for socialism, women’s rights, and ecology, it has been an inspiring experience. That is why its complete destruction would be a great loss.”
Europe will pay the price for its short-term blindness
Löwy also warned that dismantling Rojava would pose a serious threat to Europe’s security, recalling that thousands of ISIS members are currently being held in Rojava. He also said: “This is, of course, a major danger for Europe as well. Europe’s abandonment of Rojava is a very serious mistake. I believe that in the future they will regret this short-term and narrow-minded approach, washing their hands of the issue, limiting themselves to a few diplomatic words in support of Kurdish rights, and taking no concrete steps to help protect Kurdish autonomy.”
Erdoğan never took the peace process seriously
Löwy also addressed the ongoing process in Turkey aimed at a democratic solution to the Kurdish question, saying that the government of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has never approached this process sincerely.
Löwy said, “The attacks on Rojava are proof of this. The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) accepted disarmament, yet Erdoğan did not show even the smallest sign of goodwill. Kurdish prisoners remain in jail. The leaders of the legal Kurdish party are imprisoned. Kurdish mayors have been removed from the office. While steps have been taken on the side of the Kurdish movement, there has been no corresponding step whatsoever from the Turkish government.”
International community must apply political pressure
Löwy concluded by calling on the international community, stressing that a political, not military, approach is necessary. He said: “The international community must politically support the rights of the Kurdish people in Syria and Rojava’s right to autonomy, and must exert political, diplomatic, and if necessary economic pressure on Turkey and the Syrian government. I am not calling for military intervention, but at the very least, respect for the Kurdish people’s minimum right to autonomy in Rojava must be ensured.”