International reactions continue to come in response to the occupation attacks carried out by HTS–ISIS gangs backed by the Turkish state against North and East Syria. Statements from various social and political circles emphasize that Rojava has been left facing a severe betrayal by Western powers, particularly the United States. They also stress that protecting Rojava is vital for the region’s democratic future.
Former Italian Minister of Social Policies and Family Paolo Ferrero spoke to ANF underlining that the main force behind the attacks on Rojava is Turkey. Ferrero noted that the United States and Israel have given their approval to these attacks. He stressed that this decision was not taken solely by the Syrian Interim Government, and added: “These attacks go beyond Syria’s internal affairs. Without the support and approval of regional and international powers, these attacks could never have been carried out. I believe there is a shared understanding among Israel, Turkey, and the Syrian government in this regard.
Moreover, during this process, the United States acted in a completely opportunistic manner. Previously, they supported Kurdish forces against ISIS, but now they have done the opposite. They have completely abandoned the Kurdish forces. In other words, they preferred the jihadist mentality they once fought alongside the Kurds over the Kurds themselves.”
Kurds have been betrayed by their allies
Paolo Ferrero said that the Kurds have been betrayed by their allies and added: “The West was able to defeat ISIS militarily on the ground thanks to the Kurds. The Kurds paid heavy prices in this war. Now that ISIS, in a different guise, has come to power in Syria or has been placed at the head of the Syrian government, those same Western countries accept the existence of the mentality they once fought and see no problem with it.
Yet, whether they are in government, nothing has changed for these jihadist groups. They are still criminals and continue to commit crimes. Many European leaders are receiving al-Jolani (al-Sharaa) in their own countries. This approach is truly unbelievable and frightening.”
Ferrero continued: “For thirty years, the West has claimed to be waging a war against terrorism. In other words, the West fights everyone and calls it ‘counterterrorism.’ But if there are terrorists on its own side, that’s not a problem—they are considered good. That is the situation. The West is experiencing an economic and political crisis, but at the same time it is in a deep moral crisis. It has lost all credibility.
The situation of the EU is even worse than that of the United States. Trump has an extreme and idiosyncratic style, but at least we can more or less understand where he wants to go. Europeans, on the other hand, are impossible to understand, because within this logic they are completely adrift. We are facing a Europe that cannot oppose or raise its voice against any action of the United States.”
Developing an agreement is important
Ferrero said that the Kurds are also being sacrificed to global power and interest relations, and added: “The recent attacks once again showed that for the United States or other coalition powers, the priority is not their allies but their own interests. If the US had not reached certain economic and political agreements with the new Syrian government and Turkey, it would not have approved these attacks. I also believe that there is an agreement involving Israel, Turkey, and the United States. It is clear that Trump sees Erdoğan as a real interlocutor, because Erdoğan is viewed as a balancing factor for US interests.
In an environment where the interests of major powers are decisive, the interests and security of the Kurdish people are not given importance. In such an international conjuncture, it is a great achievement that the Kurds have been able to demonstrate their capacity to protect themselves. In an environment where a heavy war is imposed and approved, reaching such an agreement with the Syrian government is important.”
Fear of the Rojava model
Pointing out that another fundamental factor behind the occupation attacks is the Rojava model, former Italian minister Paolo Ferrero said: “Rojava represents hope not only for the Kurds, but for the peoples of the region. Rojava is not a region inhabited only by Kurds; it includes many peoples within it. At the same time, it is an example of democratic governance for the Middle East. It is almost the only democratic experiment in the region. There is no truly democratic regime in the Middle East.
The fact that such a model has been developed by the Kurds is seen as unacceptable by Turkey and perceived as a threat, because they fear that the same model could be implemented in Turkish Kurdistan.
However, Rojava shows that different peoples living under authoritarian and anti-democratic regimes can live together in equality and freedom despite all their differences. They do not want this example to be seen. Turkey opposes Rojava not only because it is an experience of the Kurdish people, but also because it sets a positive example for the entire Middle East.
This disturbs many actors, because there is almost no experience in the Middle East based on democracy, popular participation, and justice. Rojava demonstrates that different religions, different ethnic identities, and different social structures can coexist peacefully on the basis of justice. That is why we must protect Rojava.”
We must mobilize to protect Rojava
Emphasizing that the peoples of the world must protect Rojava despite the international concept, Ferrero concluded with the following call: “European public opinion in particular must take action to protect Rojava. Rojava must not be left alone. About ten years ago, we mobilized for Kobanê, and that mobilization across many European countries was very important. Today, we need to mobilize once again, because we cannot leave either the Kurdish people or Rojava’s extraordinary and positive experience alone.”
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